1 00:00:04,078 --> 00:00:07,358 Speaker 1: The Book of Joe podcast is a production of iHeartRadio. 2 00:00:15,758 --> 00:00:17,118 Speaker 2: Hey thereon Welcome Back. 3 00:00:17,238 --> 00:00:20,278 Speaker 1: It's the Book of Joe podcast with me, Tom Verducci 4 00:00:20,398 --> 00:00:22,518 Speaker 1: and of course Joe Madden. 5 00:00:22,638 --> 00:00:22,878 Speaker 3: Joe. 6 00:00:22,958 --> 00:00:26,558 Speaker 1: Spring training is here, my man, and it is a 7 00:00:26,598 --> 00:00:27,958 Speaker 1: great time of year. 8 00:00:28,518 --> 00:00:32,758 Speaker 4: It was always my favorite. Honestly, I hope does spring eternal. 9 00:00:33,158 --> 00:00:36,118 Speaker 4: You wade all winter to get that done. A little 10 00:00:36,158 --> 00:00:38,038 Speaker 4: bit anks as a manager going into it as much 11 00:00:38,038 --> 00:00:39,638 Speaker 4: as anything, because you're always prepping. 12 00:00:39,998 --> 00:00:40,278 Speaker 3: For me. 13 00:00:40,318 --> 00:00:43,638 Speaker 4: It was always about the inaugural speeches. 14 00:00:44,158 --> 00:00:44,358 Speaker 3: You know. 15 00:00:44,598 --> 00:00:46,918 Speaker 4: I went first with the pictures and catchers, and then 16 00:00:46,958 --> 00:00:49,278 Speaker 4: you would do it again for full squad. And it 17 00:00:49,318 --> 00:00:52,478 Speaker 4: was always about setting the right tone, the message or 18 00:00:52,758 --> 00:00:56,278 Speaker 4: philosophical perspective. Beyond anything else, was just trying to get 19 00:00:56,278 --> 00:00:58,118 Speaker 4: our heads in the right spot and try to create 20 00:00:58,158 --> 00:01:00,518 Speaker 4: some common ground here so we're all pulling at the 21 00:01:00,558 --> 00:01:03,398 Speaker 4: proverbial same end of the rope. So that was my thing. 22 00:01:03,398 --> 00:01:08,278 Speaker 4: I used to go to Ken Rivisa for sports psychologist. 23 00:01:08,358 --> 00:01:11,198 Speaker 4: Ken let me talk to his class either at cal 24 00:01:11,238 --> 00:01:13,918 Speaker 4: State Fullerton or he would take me out to dirt 25 00:01:13,918 --> 00:01:16,478 Speaker 4: bag Field blair Field and I would address the Long 26 00:01:16,478 --> 00:01:18,398 Speaker 4: Beach State team and I would work on the stuff 27 00:01:18,918 --> 00:01:21,078 Speaker 4: I was gonna say to my team, our team at 28 00:01:21,078 --> 00:01:24,038 Speaker 4: that when we got to that particular juncture. 29 00:01:24,118 --> 00:01:27,518 Speaker 3: So that was always cool, but really took it seriously. 30 00:01:27,918 --> 00:01:31,478 Speaker 4: It was wonderful and nerve wracking a bit a little 31 00:01:31,478 --> 00:01:33,278 Speaker 4: bit because you just wanted to get us off to 32 00:01:33,318 --> 00:01:33,838 Speaker 4: a good start. 33 00:01:34,398 --> 00:01:36,998 Speaker 1: Well, yeah, those first day meetings you're talking about in 34 00:01:37,038 --> 00:01:40,358 Speaker 1: that big speech, As you know, the game has changed 35 00:01:40,398 --> 00:01:42,638 Speaker 1: a lot, Joe, and there's a lot more help in 36 00:01:42,678 --> 00:01:45,478 Speaker 1: that room. I've been at the New York Mets camp 37 00:01:45,478 --> 00:01:48,558 Speaker 1: at Port Saint Lucie, and you know that first day meeting, 38 00:01:48,598 --> 00:01:52,438 Speaker 1: Traditionally the players pile into a conference room. I just 39 00:01:52,518 --> 00:01:55,158 Speaker 1: know I wasn't there in the meeting itself. The Mets 40 00:01:55,158 --> 00:01:58,318 Speaker 1: had way more support people in that room than they 41 00:01:58,358 --> 00:02:02,358 Speaker 1: had actual players. Support people are outnumbering the players, and 42 00:02:02,438 --> 00:02:05,518 Speaker 1: not by a little. So the game has grown a lot. 43 00:02:05,558 --> 00:02:08,398 Speaker 1: But hey, we're here to talk about the game back 44 00:02:08,518 --> 00:02:12,358 Speaker 1: on the field the crack of the bat, and we've 45 00:02:12,358 --> 00:02:14,638 Speaker 1: got a line up for you today in today's podcast. 46 00:02:14,638 --> 00:02:17,118 Speaker 1: I think you're gonna like, how about this, Joe. We 47 00:02:17,238 --> 00:02:21,358 Speaker 1: have Mike Trout, sho Hey, O'tani, Radfield, Devers, Nolan Aronato, 48 00:02:21,518 --> 00:02:24,278 Speaker 1: Aaron judge Juan Soto, that's just the start of things. 49 00:02:24,278 --> 00:02:25,678 Speaker 1: How does that sound good? 50 00:02:25,718 --> 00:02:26,998 Speaker 3: I'm familiar with these guys. 51 00:02:26,998 --> 00:02:32,038 Speaker 1: Go ahead, yes, Well, let me start with mister Mike Trout. Okay, 52 00:02:32,118 --> 00:02:35,038 Speaker 1: because Mike shows up at spring training day one and 53 00:02:35,238 --> 00:02:38,398 Speaker 1: the Angels allow him to break the news that he 54 00:02:38,478 --> 00:02:40,798 Speaker 1: is moving out of center field. He's been a full 55 00:02:40,798 --> 00:02:43,638 Speaker 1: time center field or his whole career, of course, uh, 56 00:02:43,678 --> 00:02:47,398 Speaker 1: moving over to the corner to try to keep him healthy. Joe, 57 00:02:47,438 --> 00:02:49,438 Speaker 1: I know when you were there with the Angels, you 58 00:02:49,478 --> 00:02:53,438 Speaker 1: went through this with Mike. You sort of innocuously let 59 00:02:53,478 --> 00:02:55,078 Speaker 1: it drop that, hey, we might move him at a 60 00:02:55,078 --> 00:02:58,318 Speaker 1: center field to do exactly this, try to keep him healthy, right, 61 00:02:58,398 --> 00:03:00,598 Speaker 1: And there was backlash and that was the end of that. 62 00:03:01,438 --> 00:03:03,718 Speaker 2: And now Mike, you know, missing really. 63 00:03:03,558 --> 00:03:06,078 Speaker 1: Almost sixty percent of his games the last four years, 64 00:03:06,318 --> 00:03:09,038 Speaker 1: almost has no choice in this matter. I think he realizes, 65 00:03:09,078 --> 00:03:11,158 Speaker 1: at thirty three, turning thirty four, this is for. 66 00:03:11,158 --> 00:03:11,718 Speaker 2: His own good. 67 00:03:12,318 --> 00:03:15,078 Speaker 1: Give me a reaction now about Mike going to right 68 00:03:15,158 --> 00:03:18,798 Speaker 1: field and your experience in the past and nearly making 69 00:03:18,798 --> 00:03:19,198 Speaker 1: that move. 70 00:03:19,718 --> 00:03:21,478 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean at that time I thought it was 71 00:03:21,478 --> 00:03:22,118 Speaker 3: the right thing to do. 72 00:03:22,198 --> 00:03:25,958 Speaker 4: He had discussed it internally, among the for an office staff, 73 00:03:25,958 --> 00:03:27,958 Speaker 4: and I didn't think it was anything that earth shadowy. 74 00:03:27,998 --> 00:03:28,518 Speaker 3: I really didn't. 75 00:03:28,558 --> 00:03:31,038 Speaker 4: I thought I thought it was going to go over 76 00:03:31,078 --> 00:03:35,038 Speaker 4: pretty well, and again only to protect protect somebody, a 77 00:03:35,038 --> 00:03:37,398 Speaker 4: great athlete, great player, great guy, all those kind of 78 00:03:37,398 --> 00:03:37,958 Speaker 4: different things. 79 00:03:37,958 --> 00:03:39,918 Speaker 3: So it made all the sense in the world to me, 80 00:03:40,798 --> 00:03:42,878 Speaker 3: based on his most recent history, anything you. 81 00:03:42,878 --> 00:03:47,278 Speaker 4: Could do to keep that guy in the lineup as 82 00:03:47,318 --> 00:03:49,198 Speaker 4: often as you possibly can. The time I was there, 83 00:03:49,238 --> 00:03:50,878 Speaker 4: I don't even know if he was in the lineup 84 00:03:51,518 --> 00:03:53,598 Speaker 4: thirty three percent of the time forty percent of the time, 85 00:03:53,638 --> 00:03:55,198 Speaker 4: I'm not even sure, but it was not a lot, 86 00:03:55,718 --> 00:03:58,238 Speaker 4: so easily thinking that get him out of that one 87 00:03:58,318 --> 00:04:01,198 Speaker 4: position put him in a corner kind of like relegated 88 00:04:01,278 --> 00:04:02,918 Speaker 4: is the area that he has to cover. The things 89 00:04:02,998 --> 00:04:05,078 Speaker 4: he has to do, and right fields not easy. I'm 90 00:04:05,118 --> 00:04:07,478 Speaker 4: not saying that he'd have to learn ball coming off 91 00:04:07,478 --> 00:04:09,118 Speaker 4: the bat. The ball is always going to hook or 92 00:04:09,158 --> 00:04:11,878 Speaker 4: slice at the right field line, little little mental things, 93 00:04:11,918 --> 00:04:15,078 Speaker 4: but with an athlete, so I just thought it made sense. 94 00:04:15,678 --> 00:04:19,198 Speaker 4: So now that it's happening, I'm good for him because hopefully. 95 00:04:18,798 --> 00:04:20,358 Speaker 3: They will be able to keep him on the field. 96 00:04:20,398 --> 00:04:22,958 Speaker 4: He needs to be out there and the baseball world 97 00:04:22,998 --> 00:04:26,438 Speaker 4: needs to see him out there. It is a generational talent. 98 00:04:26,478 --> 00:04:28,918 Speaker 4: It's just too bad what has happened. And I just 99 00:04:29,438 --> 00:04:31,198 Speaker 4: hopefully the best for him. I wish him the best 100 00:04:31,198 --> 00:04:33,318 Speaker 4: because it's that good when it's out there. 101 00:04:33,558 --> 00:04:35,198 Speaker 1: Yeah, And I know people like to make a big 102 00:04:35,238 --> 00:04:37,438 Speaker 1: deal of the fact that, you know, and Mike chuckled 103 00:04:37,438 --> 00:04:40,118 Speaker 1: at this MLB Networks ranking of the top one hundred 104 00:04:40,118 --> 00:04:42,318 Speaker 1: players in baseball. He came in at number thirty nine, 105 00:04:42,758 --> 00:04:46,238 Speaker 1: which you know, listen, it's it's ridiculous until you actually 106 00:04:46,278 --> 00:04:49,638 Speaker 1: do factor in just purely playing time, right He's not. 107 00:04:49,878 --> 00:04:52,438 Speaker 1: They're not thirty eight baseball players on the planet right 108 00:04:52,438 --> 00:04:54,558 Speaker 1: now who are better than Mike Trout. I'm sorry, but 109 00:04:54,678 --> 00:04:57,118 Speaker 1: when you just factor in the ability to be to 110 00:04:57,158 --> 00:04:59,638 Speaker 1: post and be on the field, I get why he 111 00:04:59,758 --> 00:05:03,558 Speaker 1: might slip when you're looking at it analytically, But Joe, 112 00:05:03,598 --> 00:05:06,758 Speaker 1: I think the world has forgotten how good and great 113 00:05:06,878 --> 00:05:09,198 Speaker 1: Mike Trout is and I think it's still there. 114 00:05:09,278 --> 00:05:10,638 Speaker 2: I really really do. 115 00:05:12,198 --> 00:05:14,998 Speaker 1: You know, even around the injuries when he was out there, 116 00:05:14,998 --> 00:05:17,998 Speaker 1: he's like a nine hundred plus ops player. And I 117 00:05:17,998 --> 00:05:20,158 Speaker 1: actually think and I want to get your take on this, Joe, 118 00:05:20,798 --> 00:05:23,558 Speaker 1: I think Mike has evolved into a different kind of hitter. 119 00:05:23,918 --> 00:05:26,038 Speaker 1: I think in a full season Mike is a forty 120 00:05:26,118 --> 00:05:28,598 Speaker 1: or fifty home run guy. He's much more of a 121 00:05:28,638 --> 00:05:32,278 Speaker 1: pul side fly ball hitter than that line drive over 122 00:05:32,318 --> 00:05:34,678 Speaker 1: the second baseman's head into the gap a screamer than 123 00:05:34,678 --> 00:05:37,238 Speaker 1: he was when he came up. So I don't think 124 00:05:37,238 --> 00:05:39,878 Speaker 1: you're going to see Mike contend for batting titles and 125 00:05:40,078 --> 00:05:42,118 Speaker 1: hit well over three hundred the way he did in 126 00:05:42,158 --> 00:05:45,358 Speaker 1: the early years. But I do think his power numbers 127 00:05:45,398 --> 00:05:47,198 Speaker 1: are going to rank up there with some of the best. 128 00:05:47,238 --> 00:05:48,918 Speaker 1: Wouldn't surprise me if he's in the mix for a 129 00:05:48,918 --> 00:05:51,158 Speaker 1: home run title. That's the way I see Mike Trout. 130 00:05:51,318 --> 00:05:54,118 Speaker 1: Give him to me again, give him one hundred and 131 00:05:54,118 --> 00:05:56,038 Speaker 1: forty five to fifty games. 132 00:05:55,678 --> 00:05:57,838 Speaker 2: And I think he's nearing fifty home runs. 133 00:05:58,238 --> 00:05:59,918 Speaker 4: Well, I think what happened with all that is just 134 00:06:00,558 --> 00:06:05,078 Speaker 4: analytics computer's data based on how we had hit before 135 00:06:05,118 --> 00:06:09,278 Speaker 4: and what he's hitting, like what he's evolved into before 136 00:06:09,318 --> 00:06:11,998 Speaker 4: this became more obvious because like when we remember playing 137 00:06:12,038 --> 00:06:15,238 Speaker 4: specifically against him with the Rays, I wanted left handed 138 00:06:15,238 --> 00:06:17,758 Speaker 4: on him. I wanted left handant elevated velocity on him, 139 00:06:17,758 --> 00:06:19,998 Speaker 4: and that was none other than Jake McGee. So he 140 00:06:20,078 --> 00:06:21,558 Speaker 4: got to the latter part of the game. This is 141 00:06:21,598 --> 00:06:24,438 Speaker 4: just observational. It just looked to me like, you know, 142 00:06:24,518 --> 00:06:25,918 Speaker 4: I know his left hand that I get. I know 143 00:06:25,958 --> 00:06:28,398 Speaker 4: he throws fastball, you get it. But it just if 144 00:06:28,438 --> 00:06:30,198 Speaker 4: you watch Mike swing, it's just a little bit harder 145 00:06:30,238 --> 00:06:32,638 Speaker 4: for him to get to that particular pitch based on 146 00:06:33,038 --> 00:06:35,118 Speaker 4: the way his body works and the bad angle. 147 00:06:35,238 --> 00:06:36,118 Speaker 3: So that's it. 148 00:06:36,478 --> 00:06:41,678 Speaker 4: So I think as as this data became more ubiquitous, 149 00:06:42,558 --> 00:06:44,678 Speaker 4: other people saw these kind of things and they started 150 00:06:44,678 --> 00:06:48,078 Speaker 4: pitching him differently, which then took away that. I mean, 151 00:06:48,078 --> 00:06:49,438 Speaker 4: because they're going to go up and a way up 152 00:06:49,438 --> 00:06:51,398 Speaker 4: and away hard, hard, hard. He's going to have to 153 00:06:51,438 --> 00:06:52,998 Speaker 4: narrow it down to a different part of the plate. Now, 154 00:06:53,038 --> 00:06:55,278 Speaker 4: they're just not going to stay there all the time. 155 00:06:55,358 --> 00:06:57,678 Speaker 4: So his thing is to really look down, down and end. 156 00:06:58,078 --> 00:07:00,598 Speaker 4: That's where he really is very, very dangerous when the 157 00:07:00,638 --> 00:07:03,918 Speaker 4: ball's middled down. I'm saying, like thigh high down, even 158 00:07:04,038 --> 00:07:05,598 Speaker 4: the knees, but blow the knees a little bit is 159 00:07:05,598 --> 00:07:08,158 Speaker 4: a great spot for him. Even in a limited time 160 00:07:08,198 --> 00:07:10,238 Speaker 4: I was with him, I did not from the sideline. 161 00:07:10,318 --> 00:07:11,958 Speaker 4: I didn't like when he took a call strike that 162 00:07:12,038 --> 00:07:13,918 Speaker 4: looked to be down, because that's pretty much down in 163 00:07:13,918 --> 00:07:16,598 Speaker 4: the middle for him. So I think his sweet spot's 164 00:07:16,598 --> 00:07:19,158 Speaker 4: always been the same where he does his best damage 165 00:07:19,358 --> 00:07:21,918 Speaker 4: and the kind of pitches like a breaking ball strike. 166 00:07:21,998 --> 00:07:22,798 Speaker 3: You don't want to do that now. 167 00:07:22,838 --> 00:07:24,958 Speaker 4: And again I think this is like something that became 168 00:07:25,118 --> 00:07:27,398 Speaker 4: recognized because you look at him and you think you're 169 00:07:27,438 --> 00:07:29,038 Speaker 4: just going to stay away from the fastball. 170 00:07:29,198 --> 00:07:30,598 Speaker 3: This guy's going to kill your fastball. 171 00:07:30,878 --> 00:07:34,358 Speaker 4: But again, analytically, as more information is put out there 172 00:07:34,518 --> 00:07:36,758 Speaker 4: than you learn, well maybe not, that's not true if 173 00:07:36,798 --> 00:07:39,758 Speaker 4: you put in a certain spot. So I think what 174 00:07:39,798 --> 00:07:41,398 Speaker 4: he's hitting and how he's hitting right now is the 175 00:07:41,398 --> 00:07:43,958 Speaker 4: residue of how he's being pitched at. When he sees 176 00:07:43,998 --> 00:07:45,958 Speaker 4: what he likes, he's going for it. He's not going 177 00:07:46,038 --> 00:07:48,238 Speaker 4: to miss it as often. And I think that's why 178 00:07:48,278 --> 00:07:50,398 Speaker 4: the balls were on the pull side based on that 179 00:07:50,598 --> 00:07:52,598 Speaker 4: is where he likes it in the past. I would 180 00:07:52,638 --> 00:07:54,718 Speaker 4: say down in a way would be a pitch easily 181 00:07:54,718 --> 00:07:57,518 Speaker 4: he could have driven to right central and over the 182 00:07:57,558 --> 00:07:59,478 Speaker 4: right center field fence, or a hard line drive up 183 00:07:59,478 --> 00:07:59,878 Speaker 4: the gap. 184 00:08:00,198 --> 00:08:01,358 Speaker 3: But I don't even know this. 185 00:08:01,398 --> 00:08:03,678 Speaker 4: I'd have to guess he doesn't see that very often anymore. 186 00:08:04,238 --> 00:08:06,918 Speaker 4: I think this is a perfect example of how data 187 00:08:07,038 --> 00:08:12,758 Speaker 4: driven scouting beyond just eyeballs, really impacts a hitter like him, 188 00:08:13,078 --> 00:08:15,518 Speaker 4: because the things that they're doing to him now they 189 00:08:15,518 --> 00:08:17,158 Speaker 4: would have never done to him in the past, only 190 00:08:17,198 --> 00:08:19,918 Speaker 4: because the assumption was that was not the right thing 191 00:08:19,958 --> 00:08:20,158 Speaker 4: to do. 192 00:08:20,638 --> 00:08:22,558 Speaker 1: Yeah. To me, he's the best low ball hitter I've 193 00:08:22,558 --> 00:08:25,958 Speaker 1: seen since Mark McGuire. That includes breaking pitches. So I 194 00:08:25,958 --> 00:08:28,878 Speaker 1: think the universe of pitchers who can elevate the ball 195 00:08:28,958 --> 00:08:33,198 Speaker 1: with velocity and spin is much larger. The population of 196 00:08:33,238 --> 00:08:35,518 Speaker 1: that universe is much larger today than it was when 197 00:08:35,518 --> 00:08:38,398 Speaker 1: Mike Trout first broke into the big leagues, so that 198 00:08:38,638 --> 00:08:41,238 Speaker 1: is continues to be a hole for Mike Trout. I 199 00:08:41,238 --> 00:08:45,078 Speaker 1: think he's gotten better about not offering at that pitch, 200 00:08:45,518 --> 00:08:47,158 Speaker 1: you know, un Less obviously it's in the zone and 201 00:08:47,158 --> 00:08:50,398 Speaker 1: it's two strikes. That's been kind of his anecdote to 202 00:08:50,598 --> 00:08:53,278 Speaker 1: anecdote to fighting off all those high fastballs. 203 00:08:53,718 --> 00:08:57,158 Speaker 2: But yes, I agree with you, the analytics, the scouting 204 00:08:57,318 --> 00:08:57,678 Speaker 2: is just. 205 00:08:57,838 --> 00:09:00,398 Speaker 1: Too good, and the holes are more exposed in the 206 00:09:00,438 --> 00:09:03,238 Speaker 1: game today than ever before. But give me your take then, 207 00:09:03,318 --> 00:09:06,838 Speaker 1: Joe on Listen, there's not a lot of protection around 208 00:09:06,878 --> 00:09:09,238 Speaker 1: Mike Trout in the lineup. It's not a deep, necessarily 209 00:09:09,278 --> 00:09:13,718 Speaker 1: deep lineup. Left handed power really not there. So what 210 00:09:13,798 --> 00:09:17,078 Speaker 1: do you see from Mike and, given you know what's 211 00:09:17,118 --> 00:09:18,718 Speaker 1: around him or not around him in this. 212 00:09:18,718 --> 00:09:20,998 Speaker 2: Angels lineup, what he might do with a healthy season. 213 00:09:21,198 --> 00:09:23,718 Speaker 4: I think he's still capable of like that nine hundred 214 00:09:23,758 --> 00:09:26,358 Speaker 4: oh ps, no question. I think he's thirty plus home runs, 215 00:09:26,438 --> 00:09:29,398 Speaker 4: no question. You know, RBIs are just going to be 216 00:09:29,398 --> 00:09:31,318 Speaker 4: contingent upon where he hits and how good the other 217 00:09:31,318 --> 00:09:34,198 Speaker 4: guys are around him. Walks versus strikeouts. You know, he 218 00:09:34,598 --> 00:09:36,478 Speaker 4: doesn't go up there necessarily looking for walks, but I 219 00:09:36,518 --> 00:09:39,398 Speaker 4: think he's if he accepts his walks. Basically, it's the 220 00:09:39,438 --> 00:09:41,158 Speaker 4: best way to describe it. I'm not just look for 221 00:09:41,198 --> 00:09:43,958 Speaker 4: a walk. Accept it. He's going to strike out, don'try 222 00:09:43,958 --> 00:09:45,558 Speaker 4: about his strikeouts. Whatever that number is at the end 223 00:09:45,598 --> 00:09:46,478 Speaker 4: of the year, poom, that's good. 224 00:09:46,518 --> 00:09:47,038 Speaker 3: It's going to be. 225 00:09:47,558 --> 00:09:49,558 Speaker 4: But if he could just really narrow a strike zone 226 00:09:49,598 --> 00:09:52,478 Speaker 4: down and force like you're saying, pitchers down war in 227 00:09:52,518 --> 00:09:54,558 Speaker 4: his zones that lay off that stuff on the top, 228 00:09:55,038 --> 00:09:57,278 Speaker 4: here's a guy that could be infected impacted by robo. 229 00:09:57,358 --> 00:09:59,638 Speaker 4: I'ms also just by the fact that something might tick 230 00:09:59,678 --> 00:10:01,798 Speaker 4: the top of the zone that he doesn't like, that 231 00:10:01,958 --> 00:10:03,998 Speaker 4: looks like a ball with them becomes a striker. I 232 00:10:04,038 --> 00:10:07,118 Speaker 4: could go everywhere with this, So for me, yes, everything's 233 00:10:07,118 --> 00:10:09,878 Speaker 4: in play. Numbers wise good, I say, should hit no 234 00:10:09,958 --> 00:10:12,798 Speaker 4: lower than second in the batting order. Just he's the 235 00:10:12,878 --> 00:10:14,718 Speaker 4: kind of guy that needs the entire batting order to 236 00:10:14,758 --> 00:10:16,998 Speaker 4: protect him when there's not necessarily just one guy to 237 00:10:17,038 --> 00:10:18,998 Speaker 4: do that. Even leadoff to me, he's not out of 238 00:10:18,998 --> 00:10:21,518 Speaker 4: the question like the Yankees did with Judge. If Mike 239 00:10:21,558 --> 00:10:24,278 Speaker 4: would accept that only because it puts pressure on the 240 00:10:24,318 --> 00:10:26,918 Speaker 4: pitchers that come after him, because he's got everybody else 241 00:10:27,438 --> 00:10:30,078 Speaker 4: behind him, everybody else being two three four who should 242 00:10:30,118 --> 00:10:33,118 Speaker 4: be decent. So yes, he's capable of all that. Don't 243 00:10:33,118 --> 00:10:37,078 Speaker 4: worry about your strikeouts, accept your walks, protect him with 244 00:10:37,078 --> 00:10:39,438 Speaker 4: the whole batting order, stay with your game plan. Don't 245 00:10:39,438 --> 00:10:42,238 Speaker 4: get out of your zarby just because you know it's 246 00:10:42,278 --> 00:10:45,278 Speaker 4: obvious that the elevated velocity does bother you. Don't worry 247 00:10:45,278 --> 00:10:48,518 Speaker 4: about that hammer, which you do do well, and if 248 00:10:48,558 --> 00:10:50,398 Speaker 4: you do that, you're going to see it often enough. 249 00:10:50,398 --> 00:10:51,638 Speaker 4: You've just got to be ready for it to put 250 00:10:51,678 --> 00:10:52,558 Speaker 4: up those kind of numbers. 251 00:10:52,678 --> 00:10:54,958 Speaker 1: All right, let's stay on the theme of former Joe 252 00:10:54,958 --> 00:10:58,558 Speaker 1: Madden players and talk about show. Hey Otani, me and 253 00:10:58,598 --> 00:11:01,718 Speaker 1: the rest of the planet continued to be amazed by 254 00:11:01,798 --> 00:11:04,398 Speaker 1: the athlete that Sho hay is. He gets on the 255 00:11:04,438 --> 00:11:06,198 Speaker 1: mound for the first time in a bullpen session in 256 00:11:06,238 --> 00:11:09,918 Speaker 1: spring training, and I saw the video and immediately I went. 257 00:11:10,318 --> 00:11:12,998 Speaker 2: Wow, that's a different show. Hey o, Tonny. 258 00:11:13,038 --> 00:11:14,838 Speaker 1: We have never seen him pitched out of the wind 259 00:11:14,918 --> 00:11:17,278 Speaker 1: up before, but there he was the camel back range 260 00:11:17,358 --> 00:11:20,038 Speaker 1: the Dodgers camp pitching out of the wind up. Now, 261 00:11:20,078 --> 00:11:23,038 Speaker 1: remember he's coming back from a second procedure on his 262 00:11:23,198 --> 00:11:26,398 Speaker 1: right elbow. We've only seen in the major league pitching 263 00:11:26,398 --> 00:11:28,758 Speaker 1: out of that stretch position, even with nobody on base, 264 00:11:29,558 --> 00:11:31,998 Speaker 1: And boy did it look fluid. 265 00:11:32,118 --> 00:11:34,518 Speaker 2: No surprise, he's such a great athlete. I get that. 266 00:11:35,158 --> 00:11:37,238 Speaker 2: The other thing that really jumped out of me, Joe. 267 00:11:37,238 --> 00:11:39,678 Speaker 1: I looked at his arm angle on the release point 268 00:11:39,718 --> 00:11:42,598 Speaker 1: where he was letting that ball go, and I immediately 269 00:11:42,638 --> 00:11:44,958 Speaker 1: went back and grabbed some video of twenty twenty three 270 00:11:45,078 --> 00:11:48,518 Speaker 1: spring training, and he is back to where that slot 271 00:11:48,558 --> 00:11:52,118 Speaker 1: should be. His arm slot had actually dropped, you know, 272 00:11:52,158 --> 00:11:54,278 Speaker 1: in his last couple of years on the mound, and 273 00:11:54,398 --> 00:11:56,798 Speaker 1: he should be. I call it a high three quarters, 274 00:11:56,838 --> 00:11:58,638 Speaker 1: not over the top, but a high three quarters. And 275 00:11:58,678 --> 00:12:01,758 Speaker 1: he was actually low three quarters back in twenty twenty three, 276 00:12:02,358 --> 00:12:04,438 Speaker 1: maybe feeling the effects of what was going to be 277 00:12:04,478 --> 00:12:06,878 Speaker 1: that injury that popped up and shut him down in August. 278 00:12:07,358 --> 00:12:09,278 Speaker 1: But when I look at him throwing in Dodgers camp, 279 00:12:09,278 --> 00:12:12,318 Speaker 1: and I know it's only a bullpen session, that release 280 00:12:12,398 --> 00:12:14,838 Speaker 1: point was back above six feet off the ground, and 281 00:12:14,878 --> 00:12:17,638 Speaker 1: it had dropped a good four or five inches below 282 00:12:17,718 --> 00:12:21,558 Speaker 1: that his normal natural release point back in twenty twenty three. 283 00:12:22,038 --> 00:12:24,718 Speaker 1: So listen, he's just throwing fastballs right now. He was 284 00:12:24,758 --> 00:12:27,678 Speaker 1: clocked at ninety two ninety four. But when I saw 285 00:12:27,798 --> 00:12:31,318 Speaker 1: him throw Joe, first of all, I actually prefer guys 286 00:12:31,318 --> 00:12:33,838 Speaker 1: out of the wind up. I think you can add 287 00:12:33,838 --> 00:12:36,078 Speaker 1: some deception, you had some rhythm, and I think the 288 00:12:36,078 --> 00:12:38,438 Speaker 1: purpose behind this is actually it does take some wear 289 00:12:38,438 --> 00:12:40,478 Speaker 1: and tear off the arm. Now listen, if you're not 290 00:12:40,518 --> 00:12:42,678 Speaker 1: comfortable doing it, you're not a great athlete. Fine, pitch 291 00:12:42,718 --> 00:12:44,878 Speaker 1: out of the stretch or whatever floats your boat. But 292 00:12:44,998 --> 00:12:46,838 Speaker 1: I'd love seeing him out of the wind up. And 293 00:12:46,878 --> 00:12:48,918 Speaker 1: I love seeing him getting on top of the base 294 00:12:48,958 --> 00:12:51,598 Speaker 1: ball like he had not been in twenty two and 295 00:12:51,678 --> 00:12:52,238 Speaker 1: twenty three. 296 00:12:52,638 --> 00:12:53,958 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think they probably did. 297 00:12:53,958 --> 00:12:55,998 Speaker 4: Some researchers sold them on the fact that the wind 298 00:12:56,078 --> 00:12:59,958 Speaker 4: up provide more of a tension free kind of a 299 00:13:00,198 --> 00:13:05,238 Speaker 4: pitch armstroke, release, less effort kind of thing until you 300 00:13:05,358 --> 00:13:06,758 Speaker 4: need to until he needs to get out of the 301 00:13:06,798 --> 00:13:09,518 Speaker 4: stretch and amp it up a little bit. I don't 302 00:13:09,518 --> 00:13:10,958 Speaker 4: know that, but I would bet that's part of it. 303 00:13:10,998 --> 00:13:13,318 Speaker 4: They probably sold them on the deception component of that, 304 00:13:13,358 --> 00:13:15,718 Speaker 4: and it's something that is a lot of Japanese pitchers 305 00:13:15,718 --> 00:13:18,958 Speaker 4: do so well with their hesitations and their pauses. Maybe 306 00:13:18,998 --> 00:13:20,798 Speaker 4: that was brought up to maybe when he got back home, 307 00:13:20,798 --> 00:13:22,918 Speaker 4: maybe his old manager coach said something to him. But 308 00:13:23,398 --> 00:13:25,798 Speaker 4: it makes sense to take a little bit pressure off 309 00:13:25,838 --> 00:13:26,118 Speaker 4: the arm. 310 00:13:26,198 --> 00:13:26,598 Speaker 3: Number one. 311 00:13:26,678 --> 00:13:30,078 Speaker 4: Number two talked about the lowering of the arm angle. 312 00:13:30,718 --> 00:13:33,798 Speaker 4: Part of that may be true about the arm was weakening. 313 00:13:33,918 --> 00:13:35,638 Speaker 4: The other thing is he just so creative. He was 314 00:13:35,678 --> 00:13:38,558 Speaker 4: probably mimicking things that he saw that he thought was 315 00:13:38,598 --> 00:13:40,878 Speaker 4: going to do he would do well with, and the 316 00:13:40,918 --> 00:13:42,518 Speaker 4: fact that it would make him more successful. 317 00:13:42,878 --> 00:13:45,838 Speaker 3: That's just how he is. He sees everything and when 318 00:13:45,838 --> 00:13:46,598 Speaker 3: you're that good. 319 00:13:46,678 --> 00:13:48,518 Speaker 4: You could look at a video of Sam Steed and 320 00:13:48,518 --> 00:13:51,678 Speaker 4: have Sam Sneed's whole approachating a golf ball. 321 00:13:52,038 --> 00:13:53,718 Speaker 3: Not everybody can do that, but show he. 322 00:13:53,638 --> 00:13:55,958 Speaker 4: Could look at somebody do something well and say I 323 00:13:55,958 --> 00:13:57,278 Speaker 4: want to do that too, and then go out there 324 00:13:57,318 --> 00:13:59,358 Speaker 4: and do it. So I'd even be curious as to 325 00:13:59,918 --> 00:14:02,838 Speaker 4: if it was lowered, just based on the fact through 326 00:14:02,878 --> 00:14:05,598 Speaker 4: creativity that he to do something other than he normally 327 00:14:05,598 --> 00:14:08,398 Speaker 4: did in the past. So, yes, it all makes sense. 328 00:14:08,558 --> 00:14:10,838 Speaker 4: He's going to transition just fine. I mean, there's no 329 00:14:10,878 --> 00:14:13,518 Speaker 4: doubt in my mind that none of this surprises me. 330 00:14:14,158 --> 00:14:14,998 Speaker 3: What you're saying. 331 00:14:14,758 --> 00:14:16,878 Speaker 4: About to wind up that had not thought about that, 332 00:14:16,958 --> 00:14:18,678 Speaker 4: But I would say that I bet, like I said, 333 00:14:18,678 --> 00:14:22,678 Speaker 4: that potential to take some stress off the arm, whip 334 00:14:22,718 --> 00:14:24,158 Speaker 4: nobody's on base, go ahead and do it. 335 00:14:24,398 --> 00:14:27,038 Speaker 3: Just go ahead, wind up and throw the baseball more easily. 336 00:14:27,078 --> 00:14:28,718 Speaker 4: With a They're probably trying to get him to be 337 00:14:28,838 --> 00:14:30,798 Speaker 4: less effort because he's kind of a full effort guy 338 00:14:30,878 --> 00:14:32,998 Speaker 4: most of the time, So that truck probably trying to 339 00:14:32,998 --> 00:14:35,318 Speaker 4: relax the effort on that arm, and that's probably part 340 00:14:35,318 --> 00:14:35,838 Speaker 4: of the equation. 341 00:14:36,398 --> 00:14:38,078 Speaker 1: Yeah, I'm glad you brought it up. You know, he 342 00:14:38,198 --> 00:14:42,638 Speaker 1: does everything with a purpose. He's the most purposeful baseball 343 00:14:42,638 --> 00:14:45,838 Speaker 1: player I have been around, probably since Cal Ripken. Right, 344 00:14:45,958 --> 00:14:48,918 Speaker 1: everything is well thought out, and as I said, he's 345 00:14:48,958 --> 00:14:52,438 Speaker 1: a good enough athlete to do things in different ways 346 00:14:52,518 --> 00:14:54,918 Speaker 1: where it's not just the seat of the pants. 347 00:14:55,358 --> 00:14:56,518 Speaker 2: It's very purposeful. 348 00:14:56,518 --> 00:14:58,398 Speaker 1: You go back to his first year after he came 349 00:14:58,438 --> 00:15:01,878 Speaker 1: over here, he got eaten up in spring training basically 350 00:15:01,878 --> 00:15:04,278 Speaker 1: by Major League velocity, and he had that high lay 351 00:15:04,358 --> 00:15:07,198 Speaker 1: kick and he just wasn't getting the bat through the zone. 352 00:15:07,838 --> 00:15:10,078 Speaker 1: And it was actually in the Freeway Series, So you're 353 00:15:10,118 --> 00:15:13,118 Speaker 1: talking only a matter of days before Opening Day when 354 00:15:13,158 --> 00:15:15,438 Speaker 1: he decided, well, I'm just not gonna lay kick anymore, 355 00:15:16,118 --> 00:15:20,078 Speaker 1: and just immediately, and I mean immediately, with a brand 356 00:15:20,118 --> 00:15:23,918 Speaker 1: new setup to his swing, he just took off. I mean, 357 00:15:23,998 --> 00:15:28,398 Speaker 1: so I put nothing past him and Joe. Think about this. 358 00:15:28,478 --> 00:15:31,158 Speaker 1: If you're Dave Roberts here the Dodgers' front office as well, 359 00:15:31,638 --> 00:15:33,518 Speaker 1: Obviously he's going to be in your lineup as the 360 00:15:33,598 --> 00:15:35,518 Speaker 1: DH for the first month of the season. We're not 361 00:15:35,558 --> 00:15:37,958 Speaker 1: going to see him pitch for the Dodgers until May, 362 00:15:38,118 --> 00:15:41,198 Speaker 1: which is fine, but he's not going on a rehab 363 00:15:41,238 --> 00:15:43,198 Speaker 1: assignment because you're not gonna send show Heye to the 364 00:15:43,238 --> 00:15:45,718 Speaker 1: minor leagues. You need his bat in the major league lineup, 365 00:15:45,958 --> 00:15:48,398 Speaker 1: so they're going to have to get him ready to 366 00:15:48,558 --> 00:15:52,438 Speaker 1: start in the major leagues only with SIM games. So 367 00:15:52,638 --> 00:15:54,838 Speaker 1: the Dodgers are most likely to have to fly in 368 00:15:54,878 --> 00:15:57,438 Speaker 1: some minor league players because I don't think that you know, 369 00:15:57,598 --> 00:16:00,078 Speaker 1: the four reserve guys and the Dodgers rosters want to 370 00:16:00,158 --> 00:16:03,358 Speaker 1: do this five times. So before games, show Hay is 371 00:16:03,398 --> 00:16:05,358 Speaker 1: going to be out there throwing SIM games to minor 372 00:16:05,438 --> 00:16:07,758 Speaker 1: league hitters to get him ready for his first major 373 00:16:07,838 --> 00:16:11,678 Speaker 1: league start with no minor league starts, no rehab starts 374 00:16:11,998 --> 00:16:13,798 Speaker 1: after missing a year, and then the first month of 375 00:16:13,798 --> 00:16:16,638 Speaker 1: the season, and it wouldn't surprise me if he hits 376 00:16:16,678 --> 00:16:17,438 Speaker 1: the ground running. 377 00:16:17,798 --> 00:16:20,158 Speaker 4: Yeah, that's not gonna matter. He's one of the few 378 00:16:20,158 --> 00:16:22,918 Speaker 4: guys that's not going to matter. These days, a lot 379 00:16:22,918 --> 00:16:25,038 Speaker 4: of the rehab guys do not want to go back 380 00:16:25,078 --> 00:16:26,838 Speaker 4: to the minor leagues for any period of time. They 381 00:16:26,878 --> 00:16:29,278 Speaker 4: all want to do this sim game thing. And even 382 00:16:29,278 --> 00:16:32,798 Speaker 4: with the Angels, I remember we had started flying hitters 383 00:16:32,798 --> 00:16:36,158 Speaker 4: in just like you're suggesting to help pitchers rehab and 384 00:16:36,198 --> 00:16:38,718 Speaker 4: get back to the major league rosters. 385 00:16:38,758 --> 00:16:40,078 Speaker 3: So that will happen. 386 00:16:40,278 --> 00:16:42,078 Speaker 4: It's not going to matter to him because part of 387 00:16:42,118 --> 00:16:44,198 Speaker 4: it is the competitive juice, is the fact that you're 388 00:16:44,238 --> 00:16:46,478 Speaker 4: going to at least go to a minor league game, 389 00:16:46,518 --> 00:16:48,798 Speaker 4: get out there in front of a crowd, and that 390 00:16:48,878 --> 00:16:50,398 Speaker 4: might namp you up a little bit and you're able 391 00:16:50,438 --> 00:16:53,118 Speaker 4: to throw more closely to what you would actually do 392 00:16:53,238 --> 00:16:54,478 Speaker 4: during a major league game. 393 00:16:54,638 --> 00:16:56,638 Speaker 3: He would show you. We've already talked about this. That's 394 00:16:56,638 --> 00:16:57,158 Speaker 3: not going to matter. 395 00:16:57,198 --> 00:16:58,998 Speaker 4: He's going to go out there with the same purpose, 396 00:16:59,078 --> 00:17:02,038 Speaker 4: regardless if he's pitching in front of nobody at Dodger 397 00:17:02,078 --> 00:17:04,278 Speaker 4: Stadium against a bunch of dudes from Albuquerque, whoever the 398 00:17:04,358 --> 00:17:06,478 Speaker 4: Triple A team is these days. He's going to be 399 00:17:06,518 --> 00:17:11,238 Speaker 4: the same cat, same purpose, same result. So yeah, it 400 00:17:12,278 --> 00:17:14,198 Speaker 4: makes no difference to him. He's going to be the same. 401 00:17:14,318 --> 00:17:15,918 Speaker 4: He's going to go about his business the same way 402 00:17:15,918 --> 00:17:17,998 Speaker 4: regardless of how they set it up, and it's going 403 00:17:18,038 --> 00:17:19,198 Speaker 4: to be equally as successful. 404 00:17:19,638 --> 00:17:22,918 Speaker 1: Well, Joe, I know you to be a very good 405 00:17:22,998 --> 00:17:25,718 Speaker 1: problem solver, So we're going to take a quick break 406 00:17:25,838 --> 00:17:28,238 Speaker 1: and I'm going to allow you to come up with 407 00:17:28,278 --> 00:17:30,878 Speaker 1: a solution to this problem that the Boston Red Sox have. 408 00:17:31,438 --> 00:17:33,758 Speaker 2: What do you do with Raphael Devers. 409 00:17:34,438 --> 00:17:38,238 Speaker 1: We'll tackle that right after this on the Book of Joe. 410 00:17:48,118 --> 00:17:50,318 Speaker 2: Welcome back to the Book of Joe and Joe. 411 00:17:50,358 --> 00:17:53,078 Speaker 1: I can't recall a situation quite like this where a 412 00:17:53,118 --> 00:17:56,118 Speaker 1: team goes out and signs a premier free agent, in 413 00:17:56,158 --> 00:17:59,718 Speaker 1: this case, Alex Bregman to the Boston Red Sox, and 414 00:17:59,758 --> 00:18:01,678 Speaker 1: the team says, well, we don't know where he's playing yet, 415 00:18:01,798 --> 00:18:04,678 Speaker 1: and we're in spring training and players on the field. 416 00:18:04,918 --> 00:18:06,958 Speaker 2: It's ridiculous, but this is what we have. 417 00:18:07,478 --> 00:18:10,158 Speaker 1: Of course, Rafiel Dever's the incumb at third baseman and 418 00:18:10,438 --> 00:18:14,038 Speaker 1: really the franchise player by light of the fact that 419 00:18:14,198 --> 00:18:17,038 Speaker 1: you know he's signed for a gazillion years. 420 00:18:16,798 --> 00:18:17,638 Speaker 2: He's proud. 421 00:18:17,798 --> 00:18:19,718 Speaker 1: You know, he's put in a lot of work at 422 00:18:19,718 --> 00:18:22,518 Speaker 1: third base. He's not a good defender at third Statistically, 423 00:18:22,558 --> 00:18:24,878 Speaker 1: he's the worst defender at third base in the major leagues. 424 00:18:24,958 --> 00:18:27,638 Speaker 1: I happen to think he's not awful, but that she 425 00:18:27,718 --> 00:18:29,398 Speaker 1: gives you an idea what the metrics think of his 426 00:18:29,438 --> 00:18:31,558 Speaker 1: defense at third base, And anyway, he's worked hard to 427 00:18:31,598 --> 00:18:34,318 Speaker 1: get himself better and doesn't want to give that the position. 428 00:18:34,758 --> 00:18:37,158 Speaker 2: Alex Bregnan is a much better defender at third base. 429 00:18:37,438 --> 00:18:40,078 Speaker 1: And yet they're not committing whether he's going to play 430 00:18:40,158 --> 00:18:42,958 Speaker 1: second or third base, and alex Corus said, we're going 431 00:18:42,998 --> 00:18:45,878 Speaker 1: to do what's right for the Boston Red Sox. Well, 432 00:18:45,878 --> 00:18:47,718 Speaker 1: you would have done that already if you know what 433 00:18:47,798 --> 00:18:49,318 Speaker 1: the answer is, and I think they do know what 434 00:18:49,398 --> 00:18:51,358 Speaker 1: the answer is. So John going to put you at 435 00:18:51,358 --> 00:18:54,278 Speaker 1: alex Corus spikes. How the heck do you handle this situation? 436 00:18:54,878 --> 00:18:56,758 Speaker 4: First of all, before you make a trade like that 437 00:18:56,998 --> 00:19:00,598 Speaker 4: and you are acquisition like that, free agently, you talk 438 00:19:00,638 --> 00:19:02,598 Speaker 4: to Devers and say we're going to do this, okay, 439 00:19:02,678 --> 00:19:05,198 Speaker 4: and if we do this, this is what's gonna happen. 440 00:19:05,598 --> 00:19:05,958 Speaker 3: Period. 441 00:19:06,398 --> 00:19:09,198 Speaker 4: So I can't believe that was done without an advanced 442 00:19:09,238 --> 00:19:12,918 Speaker 4: conversation with him, And you can't. You can't withhold in 443 00:19:12,998 --> 00:19:16,838 Speaker 4: conversations like that. It's you know, it's uncomfortable. Guy's not 444 00:19:16,838 --> 00:19:20,198 Speaker 4: gonna like it. But this comes under the category if 445 00:19:20,238 --> 00:19:21,958 Speaker 4: I tell you the truth, you I might not like 446 00:19:21,958 --> 00:19:23,958 Speaker 4: me for a week or ten days. If I lie 447 00:19:23,998 --> 00:19:25,758 Speaker 4: to you, You're gonna hate me forever. It comes under 448 00:19:25,758 --> 00:19:30,038 Speaker 4: that category. So if there's such a disparity between the two, defensively, 449 00:19:30,078 --> 00:19:32,758 Speaker 4: and that's a big thing. Defense, you got to catch 450 00:19:32,798 --> 00:19:35,558 Speaker 4: the baseball. It's well too easy at that point. So 451 00:19:35,638 --> 00:19:39,478 Speaker 4: this to me would have been done before the acquisition. 452 00:19:39,518 --> 00:19:43,638 Speaker 4: Announcement was announcement before beyond that, You've got to know 453 00:19:43,678 --> 00:19:45,838 Speaker 4: the answer that you had to assume the questions. You 454 00:19:45,838 --> 00:19:48,038 Speaker 4: have to know the answer before the questions asked. I mean, 455 00:19:48,118 --> 00:19:50,758 Speaker 4: we always did that. You know a lot of times 456 00:19:50,758 --> 00:19:54,198 Speaker 4: front offices don't want to put it right out there. 457 00:19:54,558 --> 00:19:56,958 Speaker 4: There's a little dissembling going on. And so if I 458 00:19:57,038 --> 00:19:58,438 Speaker 4: knew it was gonna be one of those moments, I 459 00:19:58,438 --> 00:20:01,478 Speaker 4: would ask Arv or Peter or somebody, what is Perry think? 460 00:20:01,518 --> 00:20:05,318 Speaker 4: What is THEO think? What does Andrew think about this situation? 461 00:20:05,318 --> 00:20:07,038 Speaker 4: I needed to know that first because I did not 462 00:20:07,078 --> 00:20:09,478 Speaker 4: want to present I'd be contradictory to them. 463 00:20:09,478 --> 00:20:11,878 Speaker 3: But I wanted Jack Ryan. I wanted to. 464 00:20:11,798 --> 00:20:14,758 Speaker 4: Be perfectly honest, tell him straight up, because when you 465 00:20:14,798 --> 00:20:16,398 Speaker 4: do that, everything goes way more quickly. 466 00:20:16,518 --> 00:20:16,838 Speaker 3: Period. 467 00:20:17,398 --> 00:20:19,358 Speaker 1: Yeah, and Jod, I'd love to get your take on this. 468 00:20:19,518 --> 00:20:21,838 Speaker 1: You know, Dallas Green is not managing anymore. You know, 469 00:20:21,878 --> 00:20:24,198 Speaker 1: it's my way or a highway. So for the people 470 00:20:24,198 --> 00:20:26,198 Speaker 1: who are going to say, well, they're paying him a 471 00:20:26,238 --> 00:20:28,238 Speaker 1: lot of money, just go be the DH or go 472 00:20:28,318 --> 00:20:30,118 Speaker 1: be the first whatever it is, give up third base, 473 00:20:30,198 --> 00:20:31,798 Speaker 1: do what the team tells you to do. I don't 474 00:20:31,838 --> 00:20:34,638 Speaker 1: subscribe to that theory. Not in today's game. Rafael Devers 475 00:20:34,678 --> 00:20:36,558 Speaker 1: is an All star player. He's a franchise player at 476 00:20:36,558 --> 00:20:39,958 Speaker 1: the Boston Red Sox. He's a prideful guy. I don't 477 00:20:40,038 --> 00:20:43,038 Speaker 1: begrudge a player, and I don't see it as selfish Joe. 478 00:20:43,078 --> 00:20:43,598 Speaker 2: I really don't. 479 00:20:43,638 --> 00:20:46,798 Speaker 1: Don't forget when he signed his contract. Originally the Red 480 00:20:46,838 --> 00:20:49,678 Speaker 1: Sox signed him to be their long term third basement 481 00:20:49,718 --> 00:20:52,358 Speaker 1: and I'm not buying the argument from Alex Korra that well, 482 00:20:52,438 --> 00:20:54,998 Speaker 1: hein Bloom was in charge, then he's not here anymore. No, 483 00:20:55,078 --> 00:20:58,358 Speaker 1: that's a franchise commitment to the guy, so listen. I 484 00:20:58,438 --> 00:21:00,798 Speaker 1: do think eventually they're going to have to explain to 485 00:21:00,878 --> 00:21:02,958 Speaker 1: him why this is best for Boston and for him. 486 00:21:02,958 --> 00:21:05,118 Speaker 1: By the way, I mean, David Ortiz had a pretty 487 00:21:05,118 --> 00:21:07,558 Speaker 1: good career as a DH in Boston, right, So I 488 00:21:07,678 --> 00:21:11,238 Speaker 1: don't begrudge him being reluctant to move. But there's going 489 00:21:11,318 --> 00:21:12,918 Speaker 1: to be a point where they're going to have to 490 00:21:12,958 --> 00:21:14,078 Speaker 1: convince him to move. 491 00:21:14,558 --> 00:21:14,758 Speaker 3: Yeah. 492 00:21:14,758 --> 00:21:17,678 Speaker 4: Absolutely, that's there's going to be that big push conversationally 493 00:21:17,678 --> 00:21:21,958 Speaker 4: whether it's big Poppy. Anybody within their fold that's influential, 494 00:21:22,038 --> 00:21:25,838 Speaker 4: that really influential, particularly to him, is going to get 495 00:21:25,838 --> 00:21:27,478 Speaker 4: on board and carry on that conversation. 496 00:21:28,358 --> 00:21:30,358 Speaker 3: But for me, you have to do what you think 497 00:21:30,478 --> 00:21:33,678 Speaker 3: is right. I don't know if that's considered old school 498 00:21:33,718 --> 00:21:35,918 Speaker 3: or is it's just pragmatic. You got to do. 499 00:21:36,518 --> 00:21:38,358 Speaker 4: You're in charge, You're the grown up, You're the adult 500 00:21:38,358 --> 00:21:40,518 Speaker 4: in a room. At some point, somebody's got to be 501 00:21:40,558 --> 00:21:43,078 Speaker 4: an adult. Every Nobody likes to be an adult anymore. 502 00:21:43,198 --> 00:21:46,478 Speaker 4: Nobody wants to make decisions anymore. Sometimes they're tough, and 503 00:21:46,518 --> 00:21:47,838 Speaker 4: the conversations are difficult. 504 00:21:47,918 --> 00:21:48,478 Speaker 3: I get it. 505 00:21:48,918 --> 00:21:52,038 Speaker 4: But yes, there's got to be probably some kind of 506 00:21:52,678 --> 00:21:55,198 Speaker 4: in advanced kind of work done, and I'd say Poppy 507 00:21:55,278 --> 00:21:56,758 Speaker 4: might be the spearheading that whole thing. 508 00:21:56,798 --> 00:21:57,278 Speaker 3: Who knows. 509 00:21:57,718 --> 00:22:00,398 Speaker 4: But at the end, if you truly believe the team 510 00:22:00,478 --> 00:22:02,958 Speaker 4: is better with Bregman a third, then you got to 511 00:22:02,958 --> 00:22:04,838 Speaker 4: do it. I mean, I can't even imagine going out 512 00:22:04,838 --> 00:22:06,718 Speaker 4: there and starting the game if I didn't, if you 513 00:22:06,758 --> 00:22:09,798 Speaker 4: didn't think that was true, I'm trying to quickly trying 514 00:22:09,798 --> 00:22:12,918 Speaker 4: to think. I had conversations with you know, Schwerber always 515 00:22:12,918 --> 00:22:14,918 Speaker 4: wanted to catch but of course that wasn't gonna happen. 516 00:22:15,998 --> 00:22:18,158 Speaker 4: You know that the when I had three outfielders with 517 00:22:18,198 --> 00:22:21,598 Speaker 4: a more App and Schwerber all wanting and only two 518 00:22:21,598 --> 00:22:23,878 Speaker 4: spots on a nightly basis, I'd have some really difficult 519 00:22:23,878 --> 00:22:27,398 Speaker 4: conversations with those three guys because nobody liked it. 520 00:22:27,558 --> 00:22:28,158 Speaker 3: Nobody liked it. 521 00:22:28,198 --> 00:22:29,518 Speaker 4: But at the end, you have to do what you 522 00:22:29,558 --> 00:22:31,958 Speaker 4: think is right. Somebody's got a platoon all of a sudden. 523 00:22:31,958 --> 00:22:33,918 Speaker 4: I'm not a platoon player. I can hit left these, okay, 524 00:22:33,918 --> 00:22:36,038 Speaker 4: but right now we're not set up that way. 525 00:22:36,878 --> 00:22:37,478 Speaker 3: Just be honest. 526 00:22:37,518 --> 00:22:40,278 Speaker 4: If you're just honest with whoever you're speaking with, to me, 527 00:22:40,398 --> 00:22:42,958 Speaker 4: that's the best way for this to go away more quickly, 528 00:22:43,518 --> 00:22:46,038 Speaker 4: and you're gonna get what you think is the right 529 00:22:46,078 --> 00:22:48,158 Speaker 4: way to do things, and then you move forward. 530 00:22:48,438 --> 00:22:49,998 Speaker 1: Okay, So what do you do with the player who 531 00:22:50,078 --> 00:22:52,958 Speaker 1: does not want to be there? Nolan Aronato another All 532 00:22:52,958 --> 00:22:55,038 Speaker 1: star third basement? Yeah, you know, I'm just saying he 533 00:22:55,038 --> 00:22:56,558 Speaker 1: doesn't want to be in Saint Louis. 534 00:22:56,598 --> 00:22:57,118 Speaker 2: He's a pro. 535 00:22:57,198 --> 00:22:59,398 Speaker 1: I get that, but let's face it, he did want 536 00:22:59,438 --> 00:23:01,798 Speaker 1: to be traded. The team told him all winter long, 537 00:23:02,158 --> 00:23:04,718 Speaker 1: we will accommodate you. Well, they did they thought they 538 00:23:04,718 --> 00:23:08,998 Speaker 1: had a deal worked out with Houston. He apparently used 539 00:23:08,998 --> 00:23:11,238 Speaker 1: his no trade clause to turn that down. We don't 540 00:23:11,238 --> 00:23:13,118 Speaker 1: know that for sure. All we know is that when 541 00:23:13,118 --> 00:23:16,278 Speaker 1: Nolan met reporters in spring training, he talked about the 542 00:23:16,318 --> 00:23:18,878 Speaker 1: lies quote unquote that we're told he didn't specify what 543 00:23:18,958 --> 00:23:21,318 Speaker 1: was out there that was not true. But in any case, 544 00:23:21,718 --> 00:23:24,838 Speaker 1: you know, you spent the entire off season talking about 545 00:23:24,878 --> 00:23:27,878 Speaker 1: trading Nolan Aernato and now here he is back with you. 546 00:23:28,758 --> 00:23:32,798 Speaker 1: So you're Ali Marmol, you're the manager, Joe, you know, 547 00:23:32,838 --> 00:23:35,878 Speaker 1: and again he's a pro. I get that, but this 548 00:23:36,278 --> 00:23:39,558 Speaker 1: is something you'd rather have resolved than carrying this. I 549 00:23:39,598 --> 00:23:41,318 Speaker 1: don't want to call it a dilemma because there's a 550 00:23:41,318 --> 00:23:43,558 Speaker 1: way out, but this problem into the season. 551 00:23:44,158 --> 00:23:47,038 Speaker 4: You're almost describing the dever situation. Had he known about 552 00:23:47,038 --> 00:23:49,398 Speaker 4: Bregmant and that it did not happen, I mean, or 553 00:23:49,478 --> 00:23:51,278 Speaker 4: not expected to be traded the whole time, and then 554 00:23:51,278 --> 00:23:54,558 Speaker 4: it did not happen. So there's all this. It's just 555 00:23:54,598 --> 00:23:57,238 Speaker 4: it's it's tough, it's difficult, it's it's kind of like 556 00:23:57,278 --> 00:24:01,158 Speaker 4: a bad faith situation. And even though a professional is 557 00:24:01,158 --> 00:24:04,558 Speaker 4: going to say the right things, publicly, which you should 558 00:24:05,558 --> 00:24:06,558 Speaker 4: privately behind. 559 00:24:07,238 --> 00:24:08,198 Speaker 3: It's not gonna be the same. 560 00:24:08,238 --> 00:24:12,598 Speaker 4: The conversations when nobody's looking by the water cooler, et cetera. 561 00:24:12,598 --> 00:24:13,878 Speaker 3: Are going to be completely different. 562 00:24:14,438 --> 00:24:17,598 Speaker 4: And all of this stuff, really it's going to tear 563 00:24:17,638 --> 00:24:18,878 Speaker 4: it the fabric of them, I believe. 564 00:24:18,918 --> 00:24:21,558 Speaker 3: I don't see it any other way. It's very difficult 565 00:24:21,598 --> 00:24:23,638 Speaker 3: for a young any manager, not just a young manager 566 00:24:23,678 --> 00:24:25,358 Speaker 3: to have to put up with this. 567 00:24:25,438 --> 00:24:28,958 Speaker 4: This the daily conversation, the cynical comments, all these kinds 568 00:24:28,958 --> 00:24:31,478 Speaker 4: of things that are going to occur and just truly 569 00:24:32,038 --> 00:24:34,558 Speaker 4: don't permit you to advance it and moving forward, et cetera. 570 00:24:34,958 --> 00:24:36,198 Speaker 4: I mean, I don't even know if to the point 571 00:24:36,238 --> 00:24:39,478 Speaker 4: if they would eventually release them, which I doubt, and 572 00:24:39,518 --> 00:24:40,878 Speaker 4: just suck up the money and just let them go 573 00:24:40,918 --> 00:24:43,558 Speaker 4: somewhere else. Under those circumstances, I believe some kind of 574 00:24:43,558 --> 00:24:46,558 Speaker 4: a tray is gonna happen. Somebody's gonna get hurt this camp, 575 00:24:46,598 --> 00:24:48,798 Speaker 4: and or you know, maybe the Yankees would fill it. 576 00:24:48,838 --> 00:24:49,278 Speaker 3: I don't know. 577 00:24:49,318 --> 00:24:51,478 Speaker 4: But the Cardinal's gonna have to pick up a lot 578 00:24:51,478 --> 00:24:53,158 Speaker 4: of that money. Whatever that money is out there, the 579 00:24:53,158 --> 00:24:54,598 Speaker 4: Cardinals are gonna have to pick up a lot of 580 00:24:54,638 --> 00:24:57,558 Speaker 4: that in order to make it more attractive, somebody, preferably 581 00:24:57,638 --> 00:25:00,678 Speaker 4: somebody that the pull side of the field's right hand 582 00:25:00,798 --> 00:25:03,118 Speaker 4: pull side of the field is more amenable. 583 00:25:03,118 --> 00:25:03,718 Speaker 3: And I don't even know. 584 00:25:03,758 --> 00:25:05,998 Speaker 4: What I'd have to think about that more deeply, but 585 00:25:06,598 --> 00:25:09,238 Speaker 4: a good team somebody gets hurt spring training number one, 586 00:25:09,278 --> 00:25:11,478 Speaker 4: number two got to take a lot of that money. 587 00:25:11,558 --> 00:25:15,558 Speaker 4: Number three pull side, somebody that has an advantageous pull 588 00:25:15,638 --> 00:25:18,438 Speaker 4: side to a right handed hit or field might take 589 00:25:18,438 --> 00:25:20,358 Speaker 4: a run at it, eating a third basement or a 590 00:25:20,398 --> 00:25:21,038 Speaker 4: first basement. 591 00:25:21,278 --> 00:25:23,598 Speaker 1: Well, let's stay on our theme of our all star 592 00:25:23,718 --> 00:25:27,038 Speaker 1: spring training lineup and talk about Vladimir Guerrero. You know, 593 00:25:27,078 --> 00:25:29,958 Speaker 1: he said a deadline. I wanted a contract extension before 594 00:25:29,998 --> 00:25:34,118 Speaker 1: spring training starts, otherwise I'm going into free agency, and 595 00:25:34,238 --> 00:25:37,158 Speaker 1: it did not happen. I'm not surprised it didn't happen. 596 00:25:37,838 --> 00:25:40,398 Speaker 1: Not necessarily because of the one SODO contract, which I 597 00:25:40,398 --> 00:25:43,718 Speaker 1: think is an extreme outlier. Very few comps to one Sodo, 598 00:25:44,638 --> 00:25:46,838 Speaker 1: but because you know, this guy is one year away 599 00:25:46,838 --> 00:25:48,718 Speaker 1: from free agency and he just had a killer year 600 00:25:48,838 --> 00:25:50,918 Speaker 1: last season. He's betting on himself, and why not have 601 00:25:50,958 --> 00:25:54,118 Speaker 1: the choice of twenty nine teams unless your incumbent team 602 00:25:54,158 --> 00:25:54,918 Speaker 1: blows you away. 603 00:25:54,958 --> 00:25:56,398 Speaker 2: Apparently that did not happen. 604 00:25:57,078 --> 00:25:59,238 Speaker 1: So Joe, I'm saying you might as well book it 605 00:25:59,318 --> 00:26:02,478 Speaker 1: right now that Vladimir Guerrero is going to be the biggest. 606 00:26:02,158 --> 00:26:03,838 Speaker 2: Name out there at the trade deadline in July. 607 00:26:04,518 --> 00:26:06,678 Speaker 1: I can't see them playing this out and thinking they're 608 00:26:06,718 --> 00:26:08,558 Speaker 1: going to re sign him. And I listen, the Yankees 609 00:26:08,598 --> 00:26:09,558 Speaker 1: did that with Aaron Judge. 610 00:26:09,598 --> 00:26:11,958 Speaker 2: I get it. It's not like it hasn't happened before, but. 611 00:26:11,918 --> 00:26:14,718 Speaker 1: They spent a long time and they could never come 612 00:26:14,798 --> 00:26:17,038 Speaker 1: close to an agreement on what his value is. 613 00:26:17,078 --> 00:26:18,878 Speaker 2: And the other thing, Joe and I know this happened 614 00:26:18,878 --> 00:26:19,558 Speaker 2: with Moan Soto. 615 00:26:19,718 --> 00:26:23,118 Speaker 1: It's very difficult for Toronto to tell vlad or anybody else, 616 00:26:23,598 --> 00:26:25,878 Speaker 1: we will sign you to a long term contract and 617 00:26:25,918 --> 00:26:28,998 Speaker 1: we will contend for a championship every one of those years. 618 00:26:29,118 --> 00:26:31,998 Speaker 1: Quite frankly, they're just not there yet. They can't use 619 00:26:32,078 --> 00:26:34,198 Speaker 1: that as a selling point. This is the team last 620 00:26:34,238 --> 00:26:36,638 Speaker 1: year that was twenty ninth in the major leagues in Bullpen. 621 00:26:36,878 --> 00:26:39,918 Speaker 1: I don't know what their plan is. They seem to 622 00:26:39,958 --> 00:26:43,798 Speaker 1: be scattershot when it comes to what's available in the offseason, 623 00:26:43,878 --> 00:26:45,758 Speaker 1: or try to sign this guy and we don't well, 624 00:26:45,798 --> 00:26:48,158 Speaker 1: we'll just go maybe this guy. You know, it's like 625 00:26:48,158 --> 00:26:50,958 Speaker 1: they're going browsing in a clothing store. You don't go 626 00:26:50,998 --> 00:26:52,558 Speaker 1: in there thinking what you want. You just say, well, 627 00:26:52,558 --> 00:26:55,318 Speaker 1: what catches my eye. I don't see a plan, and 628 00:26:55,398 --> 00:26:59,038 Speaker 1: I think Guerrero is the way forward, the way O'tani 629 00:26:59,358 --> 00:27:01,758 Speaker 1: was for the Angels in his walk year. But the 630 00:27:01,798 --> 00:27:04,358 Speaker 1: Angels at least got close enough to think, let's play 631 00:27:04,358 --> 00:27:06,558 Speaker 1: it out. I'm not sure Toronto's even going to be 632 00:27:06,558 --> 00:27:10,438 Speaker 1: there in July, so listen, I'm not blaming anybody here. 633 00:27:10,478 --> 00:27:13,238 Speaker 1: I just think, again, you borrow your word about pragmatism, 634 00:27:13,958 --> 00:27:16,638 Speaker 1: so I'm looking at it pragmatically that they're probably going 635 00:27:16,678 --> 00:27:18,078 Speaker 1: to be in a situation where you have to be 636 00:27:18,118 --> 00:27:22,038 Speaker 1: realistic that are odds of re signing Ladd trying so 637 00:27:22,158 --> 00:27:24,918 Speaker 1: hard through the winter to meet this deadline didn't work out. 638 00:27:25,398 --> 00:27:27,918 Speaker 2: Be realistic, see what you can get right exactly. 639 00:27:27,918 --> 00:27:31,238 Speaker 4: I think the decision is way to the trade deadline 640 00:27:31,278 --> 00:27:32,918 Speaker 4: to get as much as we possibly can, because they're 641 00:27:32,918 --> 00:27:34,558 Speaker 4: also probably going to bet that you're going to see 642 00:27:34,678 --> 00:27:36,278 Speaker 4: he had a great year last year, it's probably going 643 00:27:36,318 --> 00:27:38,238 Speaker 4: to be better this year. To try try to prove 644 00:27:38,278 --> 00:27:40,958 Speaker 4: a point going into free agent year also, so I 645 00:27:40,958 --> 00:27:43,398 Speaker 4: think they got it on both sides. They should see 646 00:27:43,398 --> 00:27:45,158 Speaker 4: the best of him up until the point they have 647 00:27:45,158 --> 00:27:46,918 Speaker 4: to get rid of him, and who knows. Like you said, 648 00:27:46,958 --> 00:27:48,238 Speaker 4: if all of a sudden you're in some kind of 649 00:27:48,278 --> 00:27:50,838 Speaker 4: a race, maybe you hold your cards right there and 650 00:27:51,078 --> 00:27:53,958 Speaker 4: you're moving forward. Although the thing with the Otani, you 651 00:27:53,998 --> 00:27:55,598 Speaker 4: could argue that was still not the right thing to 652 00:27:55,638 --> 00:27:57,598 Speaker 4: do for the Angels and they missed an opportunity to 653 00:27:57,718 --> 00:27:59,918 Speaker 4: do the Herschel Walker thing and didn't do it. 654 00:28:00,198 --> 00:28:02,198 Speaker 2: They did, but I still can't blame him. 655 00:28:02,238 --> 00:28:04,638 Speaker 1: They are playing well at that time, were within a 656 00:28:04,958 --> 00:28:06,798 Speaker 1: I think it was less than a handful of games 657 00:28:06,838 --> 00:28:09,358 Speaker 1: of the wildcard. Hadn't seen the playoffs in forever, I 658 00:28:09,558 --> 00:28:11,838 Speaker 1: understood it. Was it the right thing to do. I 659 00:28:11,918 --> 00:28:13,678 Speaker 1: don't know, but if I'm a player and I'm trying 660 00:28:13,678 --> 00:28:16,078 Speaker 1: to win, I would not have pulled the plug on 661 00:28:16,158 --> 00:28:18,638 Speaker 1: that season. As far as team building, You're absolutely right. 662 00:28:19,158 --> 00:28:21,318 Speaker 4: Yeah, that's what I would have pulled the plug. But anyway, 663 00:28:21,358 --> 00:28:23,638 Speaker 4: that's that's exactly what's gonna happen this year with Toronto. 664 00:28:23,678 --> 00:28:25,558 Speaker 4: I think they're gonna be faced. But that kind of 665 00:28:25,598 --> 00:28:27,878 Speaker 4: Sophie's choice right there, at the end, they're gonna have 666 00:28:27,918 --> 00:28:29,718 Speaker 4: to make it. But you're gonna see Vlad play as 667 00:28:29,758 --> 00:28:32,158 Speaker 4: well as he possibly can. He's gonna be very attractive. 668 00:28:32,158 --> 00:28:34,078 Speaker 4: And I guess he's gotten in better shape too, correct 669 00:28:34,118 --> 00:28:36,638 Speaker 4: He's actually done some Yeah, it looks good bodywork, So 670 00:28:36,758 --> 00:28:38,838 Speaker 4: I mean that that has to be considered also. I know, 671 00:28:39,398 --> 00:28:42,798 Speaker 4: was he twenty six, twenty seven years of age? You 672 00:28:42,878 --> 00:28:45,918 Speaker 4: know that particular position. We've talked about it with Alonzo. 673 00:28:46,518 --> 00:28:49,518 Speaker 4: How the industry have viewsed that position in the steep 674 00:28:49,558 --> 00:28:51,438 Speaker 4: decline of it. I mean, all this stuff is being 675 00:28:51,598 --> 00:28:53,998 Speaker 4: calculated within the analytical departments, There's no. 676 00:28:54,118 --> 00:28:56,998 Speaker 3: Question about it. But I think you can see come 677 00:28:57,198 --> 00:28:59,918 Speaker 3: trade time, even if they're like somewhat in it, he's 678 00:28:59,918 --> 00:29:02,078 Speaker 3: still gonna go. They're not gonna do what the Angels did. 679 00:29:02,118 --> 00:29:04,558 Speaker 4: They're gonna they will pull the tra or because if 680 00:29:04,598 --> 00:29:06,878 Speaker 4: it's an opportunity to rebuild it, they get names that 681 00:29:06,918 --> 00:29:09,598 Speaker 4: they really think can't put them back on the right path. 682 00:29:09,638 --> 00:29:10,318 Speaker 3: I think they would do it. 683 00:29:10,718 --> 00:29:14,078 Speaker 1: We're not done yet, we promised you Aaron Judge Juan Sota, 684 00:29:14,278 --> 00:29:16,958 Speaker 1: and we will get to them right after this quick 685 00:29:17,038 --> 00:29:32,478 Speaker 1: break on the Book of Joe. Welcome back to the 686 00:29:32,518 --> 00:29:35,678 Speaker 1: Book of Joe, Podcasts and Joe. I'm not sure if 687 00:29:35,718 --> 00:29:39,078 Speaker 1: you saw this. The quote from Aaron Judge caught my eye. 688 00:29:39,278 --> 00:29:40,958 Speaker 1: Of course, you know when he shows up in camp 689 00:29:41,038 --> 00:29:43,838 Speaker 1: and spring training, just like Derek Jeter, every year it's 690 00:29:43,878 --> 00:29:46,278 Speaker 1: a news event, you have the press conference. Aaron's a 691 00:29:46,358 --> 00:29:48,798 Speaker 1: very smart guy. He wants to win as much as anybody. 692 00:29:49,278 --> 00:29:51,838 Speaker 1: But this one quote really caught my eye. Just it 693 00:29:52,038 --> 00:29:54,358 Speaker 1: speaks to how much it hurt him for this team 694 00:29:54,398 --> 00:29:56,158 Speaker 1: to get to the World Series last year and to 695 00:29:56,238 --> 00:29:57,958 Speaker 1: lose it. Remember that was the first time he got 696 00:29:57,958 --> 00:30:00,118 Speaker 1: to the World Series, first time for the Yankees, and 697 00:30:00,198 --> 00:30:05,078 Speaker 1: so nine he said, getting to the dance and losing 698 00:30:05,238 --> 00:30:11,758 Speaker 1: out definitely is a lot worse than not even getting there. Wow, 699 00:30:12,078 --> 00:30:15,518 Speaker 1: that caught my attention. I mean, I'd rather take the 700 00:30:15,638 --> 00:30:17,718 Speaker 1: chance and get in there. I understand the pain of 701 00:30:17,798 --> 00:30:19,798 Speaker 1: losing the World Series. You want to finish it off. 702 00:30:21,038 --> 00:30:23,158 Speaker 1: From the Yankees case, they got within three wins of 703 00:30:23,158 --> 00:30:25,318 Speaker 1: a World Championship, so you get so close to it 704 00:30:25,358 --> 00:30:28,118 Speaker 1: you can almost taste it. But man, I want the opportunity. 705 00:30:28,438 --> 00:30:30,158 Speaker 1: There's a lot of guys who had great careers and 706 00:30:30,318 --> 00:30:32,598 Speaker 1: never even got a chance to play in the World Series. 707 00:30:32,598 --> 00:30:35,318 Speaker 1: I think it speaks to how much last year's defeating 708 00:30:35,318 --> 00:30:36,758 Speaker 1: the World Series hurt Aaron Judge. 709 00:30:37,398 --> 00:30:39,798 Speaker 3: I agree with you just getting to the dance. 710 00:30:39,838 --> 00:30:41,758 Speaker 4: When you look up at the scoreboard, there's no other 711 00:30:41,918 --> 00:30:44,038 Speaker 4: major league games going on that night, It's just this 712 00:30:44,198 --> 00:30:44,678 Speaker 4: one game. 713 00:30:45,118 --> 00:30:46,918 Speaker 3: And I used to look at that going through the playoffs. 714 00:30:46,918 --> 00:30:48,238 Speaker 4: You would look to see how many names are on 715 00:30:48,318 --> 00:30:51,438 Speaker 4: the board, how many teams are still playing, keep erasing 716 00:30:51,478 --> 00:30:54,198 Speaker 4: those names, you racing those names till finally just two 717 00:30:54,278 --> 00:30:56,878 Speaker 4: teams are standing. It went through it both ways, one 718 00:30:56,918 --> 00:30:58,558 Speaker 4: with the Angels in two thousand and two in the 719 00:30:58,598 --> 00:31:02,718 Speaker 4: Cubs and sixteen lost with the Rays. It's disheartening. It 720 00:31:02,838 --> 00:31:04,798 Speaker 4: was tough with losing with the He's had that really 721 00:31:04,958 --> 00:31:08,838 Speaker 4: harsh weather. World Series in Philadelphia was awful. I mean 722 00:31:08,878 --> 00:31:11,398 Speaker 4: the worst weather I've ever been on a baseball field. 723 00:31:11,438 --> 00:31:13,678 Speaker 4: It was more like a bad football day. But you 724 00:31:13,838 --> 00:31:16,598 Speaker 4: got there and it definitely does something for you for 725 00:31:16,758 --> 00:31:20,358 Speaker 4: your group. It definitely the Yankees don't need to have 726 00:31:20,438 --> 00:31:25,358 Speaker 4: their organization catapult it. You know, Uncharted Waters territory. They've 727 00:31:25,398 --> 00:31:27,798 Speaker 4: been there. I understand that, but especially for a guy 728 00:31:27,878 --> 00:31:29,758 Speaker 4: that had never been there to that point, I think 729 00:31:29,798 --> 00:31:32,998 Speaker 4: it should do something. I want to get back there. 730 00:31:33,078 --> 00:31:34,078 Speaker 4: I want to be there again. 731 00:31:34,198 --> 00:31:34,638 Speaker 3: I love this. 732 00:31:34,798 --> 00:31:37,918 Speaker 4: It's the only way to approach this season. I don't 733 00:31:37,918 --> 00:31:39,198 Speaker 4: even know what I was talking to the other day. 734 00:31:39,198 --> 00:31:41,918 Speaker 4: I was writing some might have been somebody, But you know, 735 00:31:41,998 --> 00:31:43,678 Speaker 4: I don't even know how many teams go to spring 736 00:31:43,758 --> 00:31:45,998 Speaker 4: training with the objective of going to the World Series anymore. 737 00:31:46,438 --> 00:31:48,318 Speaker 4: They just go into spring training hoping they can make 738 00:31:48,358 --> 00:31:51,878 Speaker 4: the World's playoffs. Because we've talked about it, the percentage 739 00:31:51,918 --> 00:31:53,598 Speaker 4: of a number of games that takes, not even just 740 00:31:53,718 --> 00:31:56,038 Speaker 4: get to the playoffs. That seems to be more of 741 00:31:56,158 --> 00:31:59,478 Speaker 4: the goal, and then that is calculated and adjusted as 742 00:31:59,518 --> 00:32:02,998 Speaker 4: the seasons in progress. So even the methodology the way 743 00:32:03,038 --> 00:32:04,958 Speaker 4: people think anymore, it's not even about we're going to 744 00:32:04,998 --> 00:32:06,678 Speaker 4: go to camp and our goals to go to the 745 00:32:06,718 --> 00:32:09,038 Speaker 4: World Series and play the last game of the season 746 00:32:09,118 --> 00:32:09,478 Speaker 4: and win it. 747 00:32:09,718 --> 00:32:10,238 Speaker 3: I don't hear that. 748 00:32:10,438 --> 00:32:12,798 Speaker 4: I mean I look at columns, I look at read 749 00:32:12,838 --> 00:32:16,318 Speaker 4: different things, and rare that anybody talks about winning the 750 00:32:16,358 --> 00:32:19,238 Speaker 4: World Series annually and you should. I mean, of course, 751 00:32:19,278 --> 00:32:22,118 Speaker 4: it's it's difficult, probably not chances are it's not going 752 00:32:22,158 --> 00:32:23,518 Speaker 4: to happen, but you got to go believe in that 753 00:32:23,598 --> 00:32:27,238 Speaker 4: it will so for me, a guy like Judge, that's 754 00:32:27,278 --> 00:32:30,198 Speaker 4: a taste and he didn't have a great postseason overall. 755 00:32:30,278 --> 00:32:32,758 Speaker 4: So this hopefully that he's learning from this and you're 756 00:32:32,758 --> 00:32:35,318 Speaker 4: going to see an even better version of Aaron the 757 00:32:35,358 --> 00:32:38,638 Speaker 4: next time he gets there. Because yeah, listen, brother, you're 758 00:32:38,678 --> 00:32:40,518 Speaker 4: one of the last two teams stand and it's pretty cool. 759 00:32:40,878 --> 00:32:43,478 Speaker 1: Yeah, I'm glad you said that too about aiming high. 760 00:32:44,038 --> 00:32:46,038 Speaker 1: You know, Dave Roberts, I think it was two years ago. 761 00:32:46,038 --> 00:32:47,878 Speaker 1: It might have been three years ago. Now I said 762 00:32:47,918 --> 00:32:50,598 Speaker 1: exactly that I guarantee. I'm I'm sure we used the 763 00:32:50,598 --> 00:32:52,158 Speaker 1: word guarantee. But he said we're going to win the 764 00:32:52,198 --> 00:32:54,918 Speaker 1: World Series, and people looked at him like he had 765 00:32:54,918 --> 00:32:58,398 Speaker 1: two heads. I mean, you're a major league manager, that 766 00:32:58,558 --> 00:33:00,438 Speaker 1: should be your goal, especially when you have a really 767 00:33:00,438 --> 00:33:03,398 Speaker 1: good team, rather than saying, we just want to get 768 00:33:03,398 --> 00:33:04,798 Speaker 1: in the postse and see what happens. 769 00:33:04,838 --> 00:33:06,318 Speaker 2: And there's a lot of that that's going on. 770 00:33:06,438 --> 00:33:08,598 Speaker 1: I understand the postseason now, it's got the feel of 771 00:33:08,678 --> 00:33:09,358 Speaker 1: March madness. 772 00:33:10,038 --> 00:33:13,078 Speaker 2: Anything can happen. We pointed this out before that. 773 00:33:13,598 --> 00:33:16,398 Speaker 1: I think it's in the last four to five years 774 00:33:16,558 --> 00:33:18,998 Speaker 1: that the teams that are playing for the World Series birth, 775 00:33:19,118 --> 00:33:22,718 Speaker 1: the LCS teams in each league average only ninety wins. 776 00:33:22,838 --> 00:33:24,878 Speaker 2: Half of them had ninety wins or fewer. 777 00:33:25,198 --> 00:33:26,758 Speaker 1: So there's a lot of that thinking in the game 778 00:33:26,838 --> 00:33:30,158 Speaker 1: now that let's just get in and then we'll see 779 00:33:30,198 --> 00:33:32,998 Speaker 1: what happens in the postseason. So I'm with you, don't 780 00:33:32,998 --> 00:33:34,638 Speaker 1: be afraid to say, if you've got a really good team, 781 00:33:34,678 --> 00:33:36,558 Speaker 1: you believe in your guys, our goals to win the 782 00:33:36,598 --> 00:33:37,198 Speaker 1: World Series. 783 00:33:37,478 --> 00:33:40,318 Speaker 2: It should not be a knock against anybody, by the way. 784 00:33:40,318 --> 00:33:43,478 Speaker 1: You know, I hopefully nothing too much is made out 785 00:33:43,478 --> 00:33:46,958 Speaker 1: of this, But of course Juan Soto talked about he 786 00:33:47,198 --> 00:33:49,358 Speaker 1: thinks his chances with the Mets over the next fifteen 787 00:33:49,438 --> 00:33:52,078 Speaker 1: years that's the life of his contract, are better than 788 00:33:52,158 --> 00:33:55,998 Speaker 1: it would be with the Yankees, and Aaron Judge politely disagreed, 789 00:33:56,038 --> 00:33:57,038 Speaker 1: as really should right. 790 00:33:57,078 --> 00:33:59,278 Speaker 2: I mean, these guys are exactly where they want to be. 791 00:33:59,478 --> 00:34:03,038 Speaker 1: They signed long term contracts with eyes wide open, chose 792 00:34:03,158 --> 00:34:05,158 Speaker 1: where they want to play, and that's exactly what they 793 00:34:05,198 --> 00:34:08,958 Speaker 1: should say that they play. They chose places where they 794 00:34:09,038 --> 00:34:11,518 Speaker 1: think they have the best chances to win, if not 795 00:34:11,678 --> 00:34:16,318 Speaker 1: one championship, multiple championships. But Joe does bring up at 796 00:34:16,398 --> 00:34:20,598 Speaker 1: least an interesting philosophical question that in a vacuum, and 797 00:34:20,678 --> 00:34:24,038 Speaker 1: if you're a free agent, and let's not throw terms 798 00:34:24,078 --> 00:34:25,598 Speaker 1: in here, but you're a free agent you want to 799 00:34:25,678 --> 00:34:27,278 Speaker 1: bank on. Let's say you're buying a stock and the 800 00:34:27,358 --> 00:34:30,558 Speaker 1: Mets are the Yankees for the next fifteen years. What 801 00:34:30,758 --> 00:34:32,598 Speaker 1: stock you're buying Mets are Yankees? 802 00:34:33,718 --> 00:34:36,038 Speaker 4: Yeah, I mean, I think the needle's pointing in a 803 00:34:36,078 --> 00:34:39,118 Speaker 4: different direction, right, And it's just based on the willingness 804 00:34:39,398 --> 00:34:41,078 Speaker 4: of the owner to spend money. That's really what it 805 00:34:41,158 --> 00:34:44,718 Speaker 4: comes down to. I think, you know, both organizations are wonderful. 806 00:34:45,198 --> 00:34:47,238 Speaker 4: I just saw Brian Cashman the other night at our 807 00:34:47,278 --> 00:34:50,038 Speaker 4: restaurant AVA here in town. Had a great conversation with him. 808 00:34:50,998 --> 00:34:53,718 Speaker 4: I don't know Stearns that well, and I don't know 809 00:34:53,758 --> 00:34:56,478 Speaker 4: the owners have not really met the Steinbenders or Cohen. 810 00:34:56,558 --> 00:35:01,318 Speaker 4: But the willingness to spend money, just like in Los Angeles, 811 00:35:01,358 --> 00:35:02,878 Speaker 4: I guess the needle is always going to point in 812 00:35:02,958 --> 00:35:03,398 Speaker 4: that direction. 813 00:35:03,558 --> 00:35:04,638 Speaker 3: That's that's the difference. 814 00:35:04,878 --> 00:35:09,158 Speaker 4: We're not arguing whether there's better baseball acumen on either side, 815 00:35:09,278 --> 00:35:12,038 Speaker 4: or there's better baseball people on either side. That's not 816 00:35:12,198 --> 00:35:14,558 Speaker 4: the question. The question is who's willing to spend more 817 00:35:14,598 --> 00:35:17,158 Speaker 4: money in order to achieve this particular thing. And I 818 00:35:17,478 --> 00:35:19,918 Speaker 4: keep bring about Cohen and it's just like I guess, 819 00:35:19,958 --> 00:35:21,638 Speaker 4: when he sees a piece of art that he loves, 820 00:35:21,678 --> 00:35:24,598 Speaker 4: he buys it regardless of the price. So when he 821 00:35:24,678 --> 00:35:27,838 Speaker 4: sees a Soto that he likes, he buys it regardless 822 00:35:27,878 --> 00:35:30,398 Speaker 4: of the price. So I think therein lies the difference, 823 00:35:30,598 --> 00:35:33,398 Speaker 4: the fact that he's not worried about these these ceilings, 824 00:35:33,478 --> 00:35:36,958 Speaker 4: the artificial glass ceiling of the baseball regarding the number 825 00:35:36,958 --> 00:35:39,758 Speaker 4: of amount of money you could spend. He's willing to 826 00:35:39,838 --> 00:35:43,038 Speaker 4: go past that. So that's that's the difference. There's no, 827 00:35:43,358 --> 00:35:46,078 Speaker 4: that's the only difference for me. The Yankees have this 828 00:35:46,318 --> 00:35:48,758 Speaker 4: this method that they've done for a long time, so 829 00:35:48,958 --> 00:35:51,118 Speaker 4: they're going to point to that, the tradition, the stripes, 830 00:35:51,198 --> 00:35:55,358 Speaker 4: the number of penance, their their alumni, all these people 831 00:35:55,358 --> 00:35:58,158 Speaker 4: show up. But it's it's pretty, it's formidable. On the 832 00:35:58,238 --> 00:36:00,198 Speaker 4: other hand, the Mets only have that one, and they do. 833 00:36:00,358 --> 00:36:05,118 Speaker 4: They have a nice group of traditionally based former players. 834 00:36:05,198 --> 00:36:06,358 Speaker 3: But it's different. 835 00:36:06,758 --> 00:36:10,678 Speaker 4: So the Mets in order to overcome them, there's they 836 00:36:10,718 --> 00:36:13,958 Speaker 4: have one key ingredient, and regardless of how wealthy the 837 00:36:13,998 --> 00:36:17,238 Speaker 4: Steinbrunners are this dude, this dude is you know that 838 00:36:17,438 --> 00:36:19,998 Speaker 4: he's that wealthy. So there's the difference maker and that's 839 00:36:19,998 --> 00:36:22,358 Speaker 4: what he's talking about. And that's why the needle for 840 00:36:22,398 --> 00:36:24,878 Speaker 4: the next fifteen years has to point and if money 841 00:36:24,958 --> 00:36:27,238 Speaker 4: really matters, the needles to point in his direction. 842 00:36:27,638 --> 00:36:29,958 Speaker 1: Yeah, and it does matter, we know that, right. I mean, 843 00:36:30,198 --> 00:36:32,718 Speaker 1: it does not guarantee anything, but it does improve your chances. 844 00:36:32,758 --> 00:36:35,718 Speaker 1: And you look at you know, top payroll teams recently, 845 00:36:35,918 --> 00:36:37,678 Speaker 1: and I know we had a World Series just a 846 00:36:37,678 --> 00:36:40,318 Speaker 1: couple of years ago with Arizona and Texas, but really 847 00:36:41,198 --> 00:36:42,958 Speaker 1: the big boys are getting to the World Series for 848 00:36:42,998 --> 00:36:43,558 Speaker 1: the most part. 849 00:36:43,718 --> 00:36:44,758 Speaker 2: It doesn't prove your chances. 850 00:36:44,798 --> 00:36:47,438 Speaker 1: Guarantees nothing, because we're talking about fifteen years and Joe, 851 00:36:47,478 --> 00:36:49,398 Speaker 1: you know how much things can change. And if that's 852 00:36:49,478 --> 00:36:52,438 Speaker 1: a long that's an eon in baseball fifteen years. And 853 00:36:52,558 --> 00:36:55,278 Speaker 1: think about how many World Series titles the Yankees and 854 00:36:55,318 --> 00:36:57,198 Speaker 1: Mets have combined in the last fifteen years. 855 00:36:57,678 --> 00:36:58,558 Speaker 2: You know what that number is? 856 00:36:58,998 --> 00:37:03,958 Speaker 1: Uh? Yeah, the zero Yeah, right, So no guarantees, but 857 00:37:04,038 --> 00:37:05,718 Speaker 1: I get it. But you made an excellent point too. 858 00:37:05,798 --> 00:37:08,078 Speaker 1: I think that's what this is about, the fact that 859 00:37:08,198 --> 00:37:10,918 Speaker 1: it's even a debate right now is very interesting to 860 00:37:11,038 --> 00:37:13,238 Speaker 1: me because it would always be the Yankees, right, Who's 861 00:37:13,278 --> 00:37:16,518 Speaker 1: been more sustainable over a longer period of time as 862 00:37:16,638 --> 00:37:20,238 Speaker 1: a World Series capable team than the New York Yankees? Right? Nobody, 863 00:37:20,718 --> 00:37:23,398 Speaker 1: So historically, of course, you would say Yankees. But if 864 00:37:23,438 --> 00:37:26,638 Speaker 1: you look at the last four years, the Mets continue 865 00:37:26,678 --> 00:37:29,398 Speaker 1: to outspend the New York Yankees, and they're just now 866 00:37:29,558 --> 00:37:32,398 Speaker 1: getting the infrastructure that might allow them to be something 867 00:37:32,438 --> 00:37:35,758 Speaker 1: they've never been in the franchise's history, and that is 868 00:37:35,918 --> 00:37:39,478 Speaker 1: a sustainable winner. They've never been that kind of a 869 00:37:39,518 --> 00:37:41,798 Speaker 1: team that's going to contend for a playoff spot or 870 00:37:41,798 --> 00:37:45,478 Speaker 1: at least a pennant year after year after year. It 871 00:37:45,718 --> 00:37:49,558 Speaker 1: seems like seems like that they're getting to that point. 872 00:37:49,678 --> 00:37:52,278 Speaker 1: So I can see how if you're Juan Soto, if 873 00:37:52,318 --> 00:37:56,118 Speaker 1: you're a Mets fan, you can say that the return 874 00:37:56,198 --> 00:37:58,518 Speaker 1: on investment in the next fifteen years will be larger 875 00:37:58,638 --> 00:38:00,358 Speaker 1: for the Mets. Now, I'm not saying that it is. 876 00:38:00,478 --> 00:38:03,118 Speaker 1: What I'm saying is that that was never a discussion before. 877 00:38:04,038 --> 00:38:08,158 Speaker 1: They have enough resources now and will to be great 878 00:38:08,358 --> 00:38:10,758 Speaker 1: to make that at least a very interesting question. 879 00:38:11,158 --> 00:38:12,518 Speaker 3: One more point I. 880 00:38:12,558 --> 00:38:15,318 Speaker 4: Read in the post that Cohen spoke about how much 881 00:38:15,558 --> 00:38:18,798 Speaker 4: fun and awesome was to be in the playoffs last year, 882 00:38:18,838 --> 00:38:23,278 Speaker 4: and the daily outcome was such an event for him 883 00:38:23,438 --> 00:38:25,638 Speaker 4: every day. Now here's the guy that's got a zillion dollars, right, 884 00:38:26,078 --> 00:38:28,638 Speaker 4: and he's he's getting jacked up about a baseball game 885 00:38:29,038 --> 00:38:31,598 Speaker 4: in playoff weather, right, So and he loved it. 886 00:38:31,718 --> 00:38:33,598 Speaker 3: I mean he spoke about that. Probably I don't. 887 00:38:33,718 --> 00:38:36,518 Speaker 4: I would imagine any any checking account he has does 888 00:38:36,638 --> 00:38:39,038 Speaker 4: not matter or is not nearly as interesting as one 889 00:38:39,078 --> 00:38:41,438 Speaker 4: playoff game or a World Series game would be to 890 00:38:41,558 --> 00:38:43,838 Speaker 4: him in his life now and moving forward. 891 00:38:43,918 --> 00:38:44,878 Speaker 3: So that's part of it. 892 00:38:44,998 --> 00:38:49,118 Speaker 4: Also, understand that he's not he's not gonna he's not 893 00:38:49,158 --> 00:38:52,078 Speaker 4: going to make decisions based on what most other all 894 00:38:52,158 --> 00:38:53,518 Speaker 4: other organizations are making them on. 895 00:38:53,598 --> 00:38:56,398 Speaker 3: It's as pragmatic as if hit our knees is, we're 896 00:38:56,398 --> 00:38:58,278 Speaker 3: going to break the bank? Could we afford to do this? 897 00:38:58,758 --> 00:38:59,118 Speaker 3: He doesn't. 898 00:38:59,278 --> 00:39:01,918 Speaker 4: He doesn't ask himself that question. I love this piece 899 00:39:01,958 --> 00:39:03,918 Speaker 4: of art. I wanted I love playing in the playoffs? 900 00:39:03,958 --> 00:39:04,718 Speaker 4: How do we get there? 901 00:39:04,998 --> 00:39:06,318 Speaker 3: I want to get to the World Series? What does 902 00:39:06,358 --> 00:39:08,518 Speaker 3: that mean when we do? And he's going to fulfill that? 903 00:39:08,718 --> 00:39:10,438 Speaker 3: That's the danger to everybody else. 904 00:39:10,998 --> 00:39:13,678 Speaker 1: Yeah, I will say, you're right. I mean that is 905 00:39:14,518 --> 00:39:16,558 Speaker 1: I don't think any other owner. Maybe the Dodgers are 906 00:39:16,638 --> 00:39:20,198 Speaker 1: close to it with the Gudheind group. But that's an advantage. 907 00:39:20,198 --> 00:39:23,358 Speaker 1: There's no question that there really is no budget that 908 00:39:23,438 --> 00:39:26,118 Speaker 1: as he said, I can finance it. He didn't say we, 909 00:39:26,358 --> 00:39:29,078 Speaker 1: he said I can finance it. That's a huge advantage. 910 00:39:29,118 --> 00:39:31,878 Speaker 1: And there's the will again to be great, not just 911 00:39:31,998 --> 00:39:34,238 Speaker 1: to get into the postseason, but to win a World Series. 912 00:39:34,318 --> 00:39:37,078 Speaker 1: You have to admire that as well. I was there 913 00:39:37,158 --> 00:39:38,758 Speaker 1: for that, by the way, Joe, and you're absolutely right. 914 00:39:38,878 --> 00:39:41,998 Speaker 1: He was very I don't want to say emotional, but 915 00:39:42,638 --> 00:39:45,398 Speaker 1: you could tell he was jacked up by the postseason environment, 916 00:39:45,438 --> 00:39:47,918 Speaker 1: his first time really getting that deep into the postseason, 917 00:39:48,398 --> 00:39:50,358 Speaker 1: feeling what it was like on a day to day basis, 918 00:39:50,438 --> 00:39:52,278 Speaker 1: and he actually said it was one of the highlights 919 00:39:52,278 --> 00:39:54,038 Speaker 1: of his life. I mean, this guy, as you mentioned, 920 00:39:54,038 --> 00:39:56,318 Speaker 1: he's worth more than twenty billion dollars. I'm sure he's 921 00:39:56,358 --> 00:39:58,518 Speaker 1: made a lot of huge deals that would cause him 922 00:39:58,518 --> 00:40:01,758 Speaker 1: to bust out the champagne. But there's nothing like in 923 00:40:01,878 --> 00:40:03,598 Speaker 1: for a guy, especially who grew up a Mets fan. 924 00:40:03,958 --> 00:40:06,078 Speaker 1: You know what it's like Joe to live that dream 925 00:40:06,198 --> 00:40:08,718 Speaker 1: of going deep into the postseason. As that thing builds. 926 00:40:09,278 --> 00:40:09,958 Speaker 3: Nothing like it. 927 00:40:10,638 --> 00:40:13,758 Speaker 4: I'm telling you the socia and I Mike and isis 928 00:40:14,758 --> 00:40:17,598 Speaker 4: you know, stand there and talk, but behind the batting cage. 929 00:40:17,678 --> 00:40:20,318 Speaker 3: And we get later in the season. We're doing pretty good. 930 00:40:20,358 --> 00:40:22,358 Speaker 4: And the first time I said, well, it smells like 931 00:40:22,398 --> 00:40:24,198 Speaker 4: football weather around here, and he says, no, no, no, 932 00:40:24,278 --> 00:40:25,638 Speaker 4: it smells like playoff weather. 933 00:40:26,158 --> 00:40:27,718 Speaker 3: He corrected me, and it was absolutely right. 934 00:40:27,758 --> 00:40:29,598 Speaker 4: When you get to that time of the hear come September, 935 00:40:30,038 --> 00:40:32,958 Speaker 4: and September always provides its own energies. When you get 936 00:40:32,998 --> 00:40:35,878 Speaker 4: to September and you got an absolute shot, it's different. Man, 937 00:40:36,638 --> 00:40:38,358 Speaker 4: if you've been tired up and like to talk about 938 00:40:38,398 --> 00:40:40,838 Speaker 4: the dog days of August, they go away. Here comes 939 00:40:40,838 --> 00:40:43,558 Speaker 4: September and here September just got this bucket full of energy. 940 00:40:43,878 --> 00:40:45,198 Speaker 4: It's going to give to you if you're in, if 941 00:40:45,238 --> 00:40:48,198 Speaker 4: you're in the hunt. So it's it's totally different. It 942 00:40:48,278 --> 00:40:51,318 Speaker 4: smells different, it tastes different, the light looks different. When 943 00:40:51,318 --> 00:40:54,758 Speaker 4: you wake up, it's different. You're just you're so in 944 00:40:54,878 --> 00:40:57,478 Speaker 4: tune to the day and your objective is to get 945 00:40:57,838 --> 00:40:59,518 Speaker 4: You've got to get to the playoffs. You got to qualify, 946 00:40:59,518 --> 00:41:01,598 Speaker 4: and then after that just let's let's take it all 947 00:41:01,638 --> 00:41:03,638 Speaker 4: the way and that's all you have to That's how 948 00:41:03,678 --> 00:41:06,358 Speaker 4: you think, and that's what it feels like. It's different. 949 00:41:06,478 --> 00:41:08,718 Speaker 4: So I understand where he was coming from. When we 950 00:41:08,838 --> 00:41:10,798 Speaker 4: went and got to our first playoff with the Angels 951 00:41:10,798 --> 00:41:13,238 Speaker 4: in two thousand and two. We're in Texas and we 952 00:41:13,318 --> 00:41:14,678 Speaker 4: had struggle clinching this thing. 953 00:41:14,718 --> 00:41:15,238 Speaker 3: We finally did. 954 00:41:15,358 --> 00:41:17,638 Speaker 4: Man, I broke down. It was that important to me 955 00:41:18,318 --> 00:41:20,558 Speaker 4: in two thousand and two. Have you been a lifer 956 00:41:20,758 --> 00:41:24,238 Speaker 4: with the Angels from seventy six basically to two thousand. 957 00:41:23,878 --> 00:41:25,638 Speaker 3: And two, doing a whole bunch of different jobs. It 958 00:41:25,718 --> 00:41:28,558 Speaker 3: was that powerful to me at that particular moment. So 959 00:41:29,198 --> 00:41:30,638 Speaker 3: I get it. It's true. 960 00:41:31,198 --> 00:41:32,958 Speaker 4: And here's a guy that, like you could argue, has 961 00:41:32,998 --> 00:41:36,918 Speaker 4: gotten everything in life, and this resonates even more loudly 962 00:41:37,238 --> 00:41:39,398 Speaker 4: than a lot of other wonderful things that have happened 963 00:41:39,398 --> 00:41:40,078 Speaker 4: to him and his family. 964 00:41:40,758 --> 00:41:43,278 Speaker 1: That is so cool the way you explain that, especially 965 00:41:43,358 --> 00:41:45,358 Speaker 1: going through that first time in two thousand and two. 966 00:41:45,518 --> 00:41:48,398 Speaker 2: But we'll worry about that another day. 967 00:41:48,518 --> 00:41:51,598 Speaker 1: Right now, Joe, let's take advantage of the leisurely pace 968 00:41:51,638 --> 00:41:54,238 Speaker 1: of spring training, right how great is it now? To me, 969 00:41:54,318 --> 00:41:56,478 Speaker 1: it's like when you watch golf from Hawaii with a 970 00:41:56,518 --> 00:41:59,678 Speaker 1: PGA tour starts off in Hawaii in January and you're 971 00:41:59,678 --> 00:42:02,878 Speaker 1: shoveling your driveway. You come in and watch the beautiful scenery. 972 00:42:03,438 --> 00:42:07,438 Speaker 1: Watching spring training games in March is is just a pleasure. 973 00:42:07,518 --> 00:42:07,678 Speaker 2: Man. 974 00:42:07,758 --> 00:42:11,358 Speaker 1: The games might not be that artistically great, but just 975 00:42:11,438 --> 00:42:15,078 Speaker 1: the idea of baseball and the sunshine, palm trees, cacti, whatever, 976 00:42:15,918 --> 00:42:17,358 Speaker 1: it's so glad to have the game back. 977 00:42:17,958 --> 00:42:20,958 Speaker 4: Never gets old, never got old. The thing from our perspective, 978 00:42:21,478 --> 00:42:23,478 Speaker 4: being a member of the staff, you know, you know 979 00:42:23,558 --> 00:42:25,478 Speaker 4: what's going on out there, you know who's taking a 980 00:42:25,518 --> 00:42:27,198 Speaker 4: slow your nose on the team, and you know other 981 00:42:27,278 --> 00:42:29,238 Speaker 4: people you have to really keep a close eye on 982 00:42:29,958 --> 00:42:32,318 Speaker 4: regarding like the different maybe the different things you've laid 983 00:42:32,358 --> 00:42:34,838 Speaker 4: down there. Physically, we got them get better at this, 984 00:42:34,998 --> 00:42:37,358 Speaker 4: this and this. Who's been working with him. They just 985 00:42:37,398 --> 00:42:39,198 Speaker 4: did it this morning. He said, he looked really good. 986 00:42:39,278 --> 00:42:39,798 Speaker 3: You go out there. 987 00:42:39,838 --> 00:42:42,398 Speaker 4: Maybe it was a jumps and leaves at first base. 988 00:42:42,558 --> 00:42:44,478 Speaker 4: Maybe it's a catcher blocking the ball in a dirt. 989 00:42:44,798 --> 00:42:47,198 Speaker 4: Maybe it's a hitter controlling the strikes some better. Whatever 990 00:42:47,238 --> 00:42:49,478 Speaker 4: it might be, so that's what you're in tune too. 991 00:42:49,558 --> 00:42:49,998 Speaker 3: During the game. 992 00:42:50,038 --> 00:42:52,518 Speaker 4: It's not the game itself, it's not the outcome. It's 993 00:42:52,598 --> 00:42:55,038 Speaker 4: what you've been working on that morning specifically, and then 994 00:42:55,358 --> 00:42:58,278 Speaker 4: as a group, and then individually if this is getting 995 00:42:58,318 --> 00:43:00,838 Speaker 4: done or not, that's the part that's fascinating to us, 996 00:43:00,918 --> 00:43:02,798 Speaker 4: to me. And then, like you said, it's more of 997 00:43:02,838 --> 00:43:05,318 Speaker 4: a leisure pace. You're not worried about winning or losing 998 00:43:05,518 --> 00:43:08,398 Speaker 4: at all. You're worried about, like I said, getting things done, 999 00:43:08,438 --> 00:43:11,038 Speaker 4: getting things in order, that you're seeing progress through the 1000 00:43:11,158 --> 00:43:14,278 Speaker 4: camp as you get to the first game of the season. 1001 00:43:14,318 --> 00:43:15,958 Speaker 3: For me, it was like down to the last the 1002 00:43:16,078 --> 00:43:16,518 Speaker 3: last week. 1003 00:43:16,558 --> 00:43:18,238 Speaker 4: I wanted to play it more straight up, and I 1004 00:43:18,278 --> 00:43:21,438 Speaker 4: would tell the guys that in advance, players go more deeply. 1005 00:43:21,558 --> 00:43:23,358 Speaker 4: They didn't have to play nine innings. I just wanted 1006 00:43:23,398 --> 00:43:26,318 Speaker 4: them to consistently go more deeply into the game, get 1007 00:43:26,318 --> 00:43:28,038 Speaker 4: a couple more at bats, that kind of a thing. 1008 00:43:28,518 --> 00:43:30,838 Speaker 4: But it was like this slow dance. It's a slow dance, 1009 00:43:30,878 --> 00:43:33,478 Speaker 4: but it's a necessary slow dance. People say it's too long. 1010 00:43:33,558 --> 00:43:36,078 Speaker 4: It is not too long. Pitchers need all that time, 1011 00:43:36,478 --> 00:43:38,878 Speaker 4: position players need. I don't care where they've been working out. 1012 00:43:38,878 --> 00:43:41,158 Speaker 4: I don't care how many reps they did before they 1013 00:43:41,238 --> 00:43:41,638 Speaker 4: got there. 1014 00:43:41,718 --> 00:43:42,478 Speaker 3: They need all that. 1015 00:43:42,558 --> 00:43:46,078 Speaker 4: Time and it needs to happen slowly. It's like a 1016 00:43:46,278 --> 00:43:50,518 Speaker 4: great backswing. The more more slowly you do that, probably 1017 00:43:50,558 --> 00:43:52,838 Speaker 4: the better contact you're going to make. And it makes 1018 00:43:52,878 --> 00:43:56,438 Speaker 4: a difference before that first game. Everybody. You want to 1019 00:43:56,438 --> 00:43:59,038 Speaker 4: get out of spring training healthy. That's always the main go. 1020 00:43:59,838 --> 00:44:01,518 Speaker 2: Yeah, it's one of my favorite times a year. I 1021 00:44:01,638 --> 00:44:02,678 Speaker 2: love the quietude of it. 1022 00:44:02,718 --> 00:44:05,998 Speaker 1: I love watching the game being taught, which you really 1023 00:44:06,238 --> 00:44:09,118 Speaker 1: don't get, you know, behind the curtain too often, but 1024 00:44:09,198 --> 00:44:12,798 Speaker 1: in spring training you can. And next time on our podcast, Joe, 1025 00:44:12,838 --> 00:44:14,198 Speaker 1: I want to ask you about some of the cool 1026 00:44:14,238 --> 00:44:16,158 Speaker 1: things I saw what the Mets are doing with their catching. 1027 00:44:16,238 --> 00:44:19,558 Speaker 1: I mean, you think like there's nothing new that can 1028 00:44:19,678 --> 00:44:21,838 Speaker 1: be taught about this game. It's been around for so 1029 00:44:22,118 --> 00:44:24,958 Speaker 1: long and how you should play it. Yet every year 1030 00:44:25,318 --> 00:44:27,758 Speaker 1: at least when I go around, I learned something, see 1031 00:44:27,838 --> 00:44:32,038 Speaker 1: something that's different. The quest to quote unquote master this 1032 00:44:32,198 --> 00:44:35,838 Speaker 1: game never does. And I'm always partial to the instructors 1033 00:44:35,878 --> 00:44:40,478 Speaker 1: and coaches and see how they are instructing these supremely 1034 00:44:40,638 --> 00:44:42,918 Speaker 1: talented people to be the best version of themselves. It's 1035 00:44:43,078 --> 00:44:45,318 Speaker 1: really cool stuff. Be able to witness that up front. 1036 00:44:45,518 --> 00:44:48,038 Speaker 1: In the meantime, Joe, we're going to talk about the 1037 00:44:48,118 --> 00:44:50,318 Speaker 1: end of this podcast, this edition to the Book of Joe. 1038 00:44:50,838 --> 00:44:52,438 Speaker 1: So what do you got to take us home today? 1039 00:44:52,958 --> 00:44:55,478 Speaker 4: Well, you know, I knew, I felt we're going to 1040 00:44:55,518 --> 00:44:58,078 Speaker 4: go in this direction the beginning part of spring training, 1041 00:44:58,118 --> 00:45:00,678 Speaker 4: and I already alluded to it. The big part for 1042 00:45:00,798 --> 00:45:03,798 Speaker 4: me as a manager was always the address going into it. 1043 00:45:03,918 --> 00:45:06,318 Speaker 4: So I'm going to quickly read off the six points 1044 00:45:06,398 --> 00:45:09,998 Speaker 4: I made going into the twenty sixteen spring training with 1045 00:45:10,078 --> 00:45:10,478 Speaker 4: the Cubs. 1046 00:45:10,518 --> 00:45:11,158 Speaker 3: It's in our book. 1047 00:45:11,198 --> 00:45:14,758 Speaker 4: It's the I did it on my good Notes app 1048 00:45:14,998 --> 00:45:18,958 Speaker 4: on my iPad, and it's so great because you could 1049 00:45:19,318 --> 00:45:20,998 Speaker 4: do what erase it. It kind of looks like a 1050 00:45:21,078 --> 00:45:23,078 Speaker 4: work of art when you get done. But I keep 1051 00:45:23,118 --> 00:45:25,558 Speaker 4: all my stuff. Obviously, I've kept stuff from the nineteen eighties. 1052 00:45:25,998 --> 00:45:28,278 Speaker 4: So going into spring training twenty sixteen, I had six 1053 00:45:28,358 --> 00:45:30,158 Speaker 4: points that I started with, and of course there's other, 1054 00:45:30,238 --> 00:45:32,638 Speaker 4: but I'm just going to go with six. Number one 1055 00:45:32,758 --> 00:45:35,798 Speaker 4: was to embrace the target. We had never won anything 1056 00:45:36,038 --> 00:45:38,998 Speaker 4: after fifteen, and everybody's expecting us to go to the 1057 00:45:39,038 --> 00:45:41,438 Speaker 4: World Series and win it that year. Wow, how does 1058 00:45:41,478 --> 00:45:43,478 Speaker 4: that happen. So I wanted to make sure we didn't 1059 00:45:43,518 --> 00:45:46,518 Speaker 4: run away from the pressure. Embrace the target. And number two, 1060 00:45:47,078 --> 00:45:49,918 Speaker 4: we all have to set aside our personal agendas. This 1061 00:45:50,078 --> 00:45:52,238 Speaker 4: has got to be about us. If it's about you, man, 1062 00:45:52,318 --> 00:45:54,318 Speaker 4: it ain't gonna work. So I wanted to make sure 1063 00:45:54,358 --> 00:45:56,438 Speaker 4: that we're all on the same page regarding that. And 1064 00:45:56,518 --> 00:45:58,518 Speaker 4: then number three dovetailed all off of that. 1065 00:45:58,878 --> 00:46:01,438 Speaker 3: All do our jobs. Do your job. 1066 00:46:01,518 --> 00:46:04,638 Speaker 4: Everybody always wants to everybody else what to do. I want, 1067 00:46:04,758 --> 00:46:07,198 Speaker 4: I want cross pollination with the coaching staff, the players. 1068 00:46:07,518 --> 00:46:09,798 Speaker 4: Make sure you get your stuff done. If we you know, 1069 00:46:10,158 --> 00:46:13,118 Speaker 4: if you see something wrong, more than like when it 1070 00:46:13,198 --> 00:46:15,678 Speaker 4: comes down to attitude and you have some you have 1071 00:46:15,798 --> 00:46:16,318 Speaker 4: some cachet. 1072 00:46:16,398 --> 00:46:17,758 Speaker 3: Of course, gope and talk to the player. 1073 00:46:17,838 --> 00:46:20,358 Speaker 4: But we all got our jobs to do and know 1074 00:46:20,558 --> 00:46:21,918 Speaker 4: that we are at number four, know that we are 1075 00:46:21,958 --> 00:46:23,638 Speaker 4: not perfect, but we can't be present. 1076 00:46:24,078 --> 00:46:24,958 Speaker 3: You got to shake it off. 1077 00:46:24,958 --> 00:46:26,398 Speaker 4: You've got to turn the page. You got to move 1078 00:46:26,478 --> 00:46:31,278 Speaker 4: on the present. Tense rocks, anxiety lives in the future. 1079 00:46:31,278 --> 00:46:33,118 Speaker 4: You got to stay right there. That was a big 1080 00:46:33,558 --> 00:46:36,158 Speaker 4: part of that message. And number five, and this is 1081 00:46:36,518 --> 00:46:38,678 Speaker 4: something I try to get the angels to understand. We 1082 00:46:38,918 --> 00:46:41,838 Speaker 4: are our own little planet. I mean, in today's world, 1083 00:46:41,918 --> 00:46:44,638 Speaker 4: everybody wants to be like everybody else. If you look 1084 00:46:44,638 --> 00:46:46,518 Speaker 4: at baseball in general, we're gonna we're gonna get to that. 1085 00:46:46,598 --> 00:46:49,158 Speaker 4: In my last I add at number seven. But we're 1086 00:46:49,158 --> 00:46:52,998 Speaker 4: our own little planet, and so we have to rotate, 1087 00:46:53,198 --> 00:46:56,278 Speaker 4: revolve around the World Series trophy, and we got to 1088 00:46:56,918 --> 00:46:58,878 Speaker 4: do what we think is right and not worry about 1089 00:46:58,878 --> 00:46:59,878 Speaker 4: what everybody else is doing. 1090 00:47:00,158 --> 00:47:02,398 Speaker 3: And that got to number six. Rotate around the same 1091 00:47:02,438 --> 00:47:03,878 Speaker 3: set of goals. All of this stuff. 1092 00:47:04,318 --> 00:47:06,478 Speaker 4: Those are the six talking points I use for that 1093 00:47:06,918 --> 00:47:10,038 Speaker 4: first meeting. And then you talked about big government. You 1094 00:47:10,198 --> 00:47:13,398 Speaker 4: just mentioned it with the uh that there's at least 1095 00:47:13,438 --> 00:47:20,198 Speaker 4: this number of at least a number of extra people involved, analysts, 1096 00:47:20,238 --> 00:47:22,278 Speaker 4: et cetera, all these different dudes that are part of 1097 00:47:22,358 --> 00:47:25,918 Speaker 4: this this first meeting, compared to the number of players 1098 00:47:25,958 --> 00:47:26,838 Speaker 4: and coaches or whatever. 1099 00:47:27,198 --> 00:47:28,398 Speaker 3: But it's all part of big government. 1100 00:47:28,438 --> 00:47:31,838 Speaker 4: These front these these front office staffs have gotten so large, 1101 00:47:31,838 --> 00:47:33,558 Speaker 4: and I'm here to tell you there's there's some waste 1102 00:47:33,598 --> 00:47:36,078 Speaker 4: involved in that. They don't need that many guys there. 1103 00:47:36,238 --> 00:47:39,158 Speaker 4: Sometimes they start they walk over each other's territory, so 1104 00:47:39,198 --> 00:47:42,398 Speaker 4: it's become a it's become almost like an exercise, and 1105 00:47:42,518 --> 00:47:45,798 Speaker 4: who could have the bigger front office or baseball operations department. 1106 00:47:45,958 --> 00:47:47,078 Speaker 4: And I'm here to tell you a lot of it's 1107 00:47:47,118 --> 00:47:49,478 Speaker 4: redundant and a lot of it's not. It's really not necessary. 1108 00:47:50,038 --> 00:47:52,398 Speaker 4: I'd rather spend my player my money on players like 1109 00:47:52,598 --> 00:47:54,998 Speaker 4: uh Bragman as opposed to I don't know how many 1110 00:47:55,078 --> 00:47:58,398 Speaker 4: new analytical dudes. So anyway, that's part of it. It's 1111 00:47:58,638 --> 00:48:01,678 Speaker 4: it's got that part's gotten too large. Trust your guys, 1112 00:48:01,758 --> 00:48:04,598 Speaker 4: trust your players, understand when they in a big moment. 1113 00:48:04,678 --> 00:48:07,718 Speaker 4: Shohil Tawny doesn't need a whole lot of information from anybody. 1114 00:48:07,998 --> 00:48:10,278 Speaker 4: He just needs to be healthy and be left alone. 1115 00:48:10,358 --> 00:48:12,398 Speaker 4: So those are my six and I just do a 1116 00:48:12,478 --> 00:48:12,998 Speaker 4: number seven. 1117 00:48:13,598 --> 00:48:15,718 Speaker 2: That's so cool. Of course, twenty sixteen. 1118 00:48:15,798 --> 00:48:17,918 Speaker 1: We all know how that wound up a special, special 1119 00:48:17,998 --> 00:48:20,958 Speaker 1: year for you in the Chicago Cubs, but it's important 1120 00:48:20,958 --> 00:48:23,478 Speaker 1: to remember how it began with that kind of messaging. 1121 00:48:23,678 --> 00:48:26,158 Speaker 2: Cool stuff, Joe, Thanks Tommy way to set it up. 1122 00:48:26,238 --> 00:48:27,478 Speaker 3: That's I envy you. 1123 00:48:27,798 --> 00:48:28,158 Speaker 1: I do. 1124 00:48:28,318 --> 00:48:30,678 Speaker 4: I mean, because you've described it really well. Going to 1125 00:48:30,998 --> 00:48:33,798 Speaker 4: spring training on a daily basis, I would just smile. 1126 00:48:34,318 --> 00:48:37,318 Speaker 4: The only thing wrong about spring training is Pallen, whether 1127 00:48:37,358 --> 00:48:41,238 Speaker 4: you're here or in Arizona or calif or in Florida. 1128 00:48:41,358 --> 00:48:43,118 Speaker 3: Oh my god, oak trees are. 1129 00:48:43,038 --> 00:48:49,078 Speaker 4: Blue blossoming everywhere, Juniper, all these different little bushes. 1130 00:48:49,358 --> 00:48:50,038 Speaker 3: It's awful. 1131 00:48:50,198 --> 00:48:53,158 Speaker 4: So it's the hay fever time of the year. 1132 00:48:53,238 --> 00:48:54,438 Speaker 3: That's the only bad part about it. 1133 00:48:54,758 --> 00:48:57,558 Speaker 1: Nothing great was ever at ty without some sacrifice. Joe, 1134 00:48:57,878 --> 00:48:59,078 Speaker 1: that's a small price for. 1135 00:48:59,158 --> 00:49:00,078 Speaker 2: That kind of bliss. 1136 00:49:01,078 --> 00:49:02,078 Speaker 3: Thanks reminding me. Man. 1137 00:49:02,238 --> 00:49:03,638 Speaker 2: We'll see you next time, Joe, We do. 1138 00:49:04,158 --> 00:49:04,398 Speaker 3: Thank you. 1139 00:49:11,758 --> 00:49:14,958 Speaker 1: The Book of Joe podcast is a production of iHeartRadio. 1140 00:49:15,198 --> 00:49:20,038 Speaker 1: For more podcasts from iHeartRadio, visit the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, 1141 00:49:20,318 --> 00:49:22,038 Speaker 1: or wherever you get your podcasts.